Exploring grief and acceptance: Experiences and needs of family members of deceased organ donors

Abstract

Objective: Before considering organ donation, family members must come to terms with the fact that their loved one is brain dead and that organ donation is a meaningful path forward. This acceptance enables their consent to organ donation following brain death. This study was conducted to explore the experiences and needs of family members of deceased organ donors. Method: The study was conducted utilizing qualitative methods and conventional content analysis in accordance with Graneheim and Lundman’s approach. Twelve family members of organ donors were chosen to participate through a combination of snowball and purposeful sampling methods. Data were gathered by using semi-structured interviews and critical discourse analysis. Results: Participants were 8 females and 4 males with a mean age of 55.25 ± 13.02. Data analysis led to the emergence of 2 themes (supporting system and coping strategy), 6 subthemes (psychological issues, social issues, communication with others, social support, meaning-making, coping with their grief), 17 categories (grief processing, emotional resilience, understanding mixed emotion, social support networks, stigma, social interaction, communal narratives, narrative therapy approaches, open communication, coping strategies, professional support, support groups, honor their memory, practice self-care, seek spiritual support, create rituals, be patient with grief, and limit stressors), 65 subcategories, and 1237 initial codes. Conclusions: To improve the organ donation process and support donor families, it is suggested that appropriate infrastructures and counseling groups for families be considered. The study recommends improving education and cultural sensitivity about brain death, providing counseling for families, and creating support networks. Furthermore, clearer communication about organ allocation can also help build trust between families and medical institutions.