Exploring the ethical considerations of direct contact in pediatric organ transplantation: A qualitative study

BC Transplant Speaker Series

A key component of BC Transplant's mandate is to support knowledge-development through research and teaching.

There are various transplant-related education opportunities throughout the year available to both BC Transplant staff and other health care professionals who want to learn more about organ donation and transplantation. 

Date & time:

Thursday, October 6 | 4-5 pm ET

Topic:

Exploring the ethical considerations of direct contact in pediatric organ transplantation: A qualitative study

Direct contact between organ recipients and donor families has been explored and implemented in the adult context. However, there is limited discussion about whether this should extend to pediatric and adolescent recipients and donor families. When discussions do turn to this topic, the main concern clinicians and researchers express is about whether this would cause potential harms to vulnerable pediatric patients or grieving donor families.

Our study used narrative interviews to determine whether such a program would be desired by the various pediatric transplant communities. Twenty-nine individuals participated both from donor families and from three of the major organ systems: kidney, heart, and liver. These participants expressed overall that they believe direct contact would have more benefits than harms for both themselves and for others. Our results indicate that there is a clear desire for the development of a direct contact program for those in the various pediatric transplant communities.

Presented by:

Jordan Hermiston, Alice Virani & Jordan Wadden

ZOOM REGISTRATION LINK:

Link

BC Transplant is planning a speaker series consisting of virtual and interactive sessions dedicated to topics of interest. Mark the dates below in your calendar, and check back for registration details.