Interventions to Increase Organ Donation: A Systematic Review.
Shamatanni Chowdhury, Abigail H Coulter, Madeline McGinnis et al.
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In 30 seconds
This systematic review synthesized United States-based studies of interventions intended to increase organ donation among adults. Searches identified 36 eligible studies published between 2010 and 2023: 13 randomized or cluster-randomized studies, 22 quasi-experimental studies, and one cohort study. Outcomes included registration, authorization or consent, donation rates, and donor numbers. Results were mixed, but immediate opportunities to register, interpersonal or peer engagement, staff involvement, and workflow changes were more consistently associated with improved donation-related outcomes than passive written materials or lower-intensity media interventions.
Key findings
- The review included 36 studies: 13 randomized or cluster-randomized studies, 22 quasi-experimental studies, and one cohort study.
- Immediate registration opportunities, interpersonal or peer engagement, staff involvement, and workflow changes were more consistently associated with increased donation-related outcomes.
- Passive written materials and lower-intensity media interventions generally had smaller or nonsignificant effects.
Why it matters
Organ donation interventions vary in their effects on registration, consent, and donation. The review suggests that reducing practical barriers and actively engaging people may be more promising than education alone. However, mixed findings and methodological weaknesses mean that the evidence does not yet establish which approaches are scalable or effective across different populations and settings.
What to keep in mind
The included studies commonly lacked blinding or clear allocation concealment, had baseline differences or no concurrent controls, and were vulnerable to residual confounding.