Coping with grieving making a request principles for staff relatives and for organs: training

Abstract

SUMMARY The continuing shortage of transplant organs is a major concern for both medical staff and the UK public. Media interest has grown recently with the prospect of using animal organs as spare parts. Even if this procedure is fully developed and ratified by the relevant authorities, it is not likely to become a routine procedure for at least another decade. Until then, procuring greater numbers of cadaveric organ donors is the main hope for those waiting for heart, liver and lung transplants. Those people awaiting a kidney transplant have the alternative of a live donor, although the prevalence is relatively low. The inadequate training provided for medical staff in dealing with grieving relatives and making a request for organs is well documented. This is reflected in the high number of refusals from relatives of potential donors and the reluctance of some staff in approaching families of potential donors. Clearly there is a need for some training in this area that deals with the fundamental principles of understanding the grieving process and using this information in making a sensitive approach to the family for organ request.