• F Bonnet, V Denis, J P Fulgencio, L Beydon, P L Darmon, and S Cohen.
• Unité de réanimation chirurgicale, hôpital Henri-Mondor, Créteil, France.
• Ann Fr Anesth Reanim. 1997 Jan 1; 16 (5): 492-7.

ObjectiveThe reasons for organ donation acceptance or refusal are still unclear. This study analysed the influence of the circumstances of the conversations with the relatives of brain dead patients on their consent for organ donation.Study DesignProspective study.MaterialThe analysis included 41 questionnaires collected over nine months in one organ harvesting centre and focusing on the circumstances of death, the conditions of the conversations and the reasons for acceptance or refusal.MethodsQuestionnaire filled in by the physicians after the interviews of the relatives of brain dead patients.ResultsThe refusal rate was higher (54 vs 21%) when only one physician participated in the conversation, when more than two relatives had to decide (42 vs 24%), when conversations took place during night or when the request for organ donation followed immediately the announcement of death (43 vs 20%). Most often the relatives gave their decision within minutes following the request.ConclusionThe circumstances of conversation with families play an essential role in their decision-making. A written guideline implementation for these conversations would probably be beneficial for the decisions of families in favour of organ donation.

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