Læknablaðið - 01.10.2014, Side 29

LÆKNAblaðið 2014/100 525
R A N N S Ó K N
ENGLISH SUMMARY
introduction: organ transplant is often the only viable treatment for
patients with end-stage organ failure. until now, Icelandic legislation has
required informed consent for organ donors, but a new parliamentary
bill has been put forth to change the laws to presumed consent. The
goal of this study was to investigate the attitude of the Icelandic popula-
tion towards legislative changes to presumed consent.
Materials and methods: descriptive cross-sectional study using a
questionnaire. The study population included all Icelanders, 18 years
and older. The sample involved 1400 persons randomly selected from a
Capacent Gallup mailing-list. The response rate was 63% or 880 ans-
wers.
Results: The majority of Icelanders are in favour of the proposed
legislative change (more than 80%). Women were more likely to support
presumed consent than men, 85% versus 76% respectively. Younger
participants were more likely to be positive towards the new law, but no
significant difference was found in attitude by family income, demograp-
hics or education. Persons who knew someone close to them that had
received a transplanted organ were 50% more likely to be in complete
agreement with the proposed legislation. only 5% of participants were
currently registered organ donors – 29 women and 15 men.
Conclusion: Icelanders are very positive towards changing the law
to include presumed consent in organ donation. Women and younger
people tended to be more in favour and similarly those who know
someone that has received donated organs. A majority of responders
are willing to donate their organs, but very few are registered as donors.
key words: Organ donations, transplantations, presumed consent, public attitude.
Correspondence: Ársæll Arnarson, aarnarson@unak.is
Public attitudes Towards Presumed Consent in Organ Donation in iceland
Karen Runarsdottir, Kjartan olafsson, Arsaell Arnarsson
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