[Presumed consent for organ donation? : A\xa0survey among members of the German Society of Medical Intensive Care and Emergency Medicine].

Abstract

BACKGROUND\nSince 2010, the number of organ donations has decreased by 30% in Germany; however, stricter organizational structures in clinics and improved payment for hospital services associated with organ removal should increase the current decline in the number of organ donations in Germany. In addition, the Federal Minister of Health proposed introduction of the double presumed consent solution for organ donation. This proposal is currently being discussed very controversially. Against this background, we conducted an online survey of all members of the German Society of Medical Intensive Care and Emergency Medicine (DGIIN) in order to evaluate the attitude towards organ donation.\n\n\nMETHOD\nThe present work is an anonymous online survey among the members of DGIIN, which took place from 10-23\xa0September 2018. In addition to a\xa0few demographic queries, the personal opinion on the regulation of organ donation was collected.\n\n\nRESULTS\nA\xa0total of 1019 (51.9%) of 1964 invited DGIIN members took part at the survey: 79.3% of the participants were male; average age 47.5\u202f±\u200911.2 years; 97.7% were physicians, of whom 89.2% were specialists and 62.7% had the additional degree in critical care; 20.6% voted for the current decision-making solution, 43.1% for the presumed consent, 33.1% for the double presumed consent, whereas 3.2% of the respondents were uncertain in their decision.\n\n\nCONCLUSION\nA\xa0clear majority of the surveyed members of DGIIN support the concept of presumed consent.