A comparison of registered and unregistered organ donors' perceptions about transplant recipients.

BACKGROUND We examined whether registered and unregistered donors' perceptions about transplant recipients' previous behavior (e.g., substance use) and responsibility for illness differed based on their deceased organ donor registration decisions. METHODS Students and community members from Queensland, Australia, were surveyed about their perceptions of transplant recipients. RESULTS Respondents (n = 465) were grouped based on their organ donor registration status to determine whether their perceptions about transplant recipients differed. Compared to registered respondents, a higher proportion of unregistered respondents held more negative and less favorable perceptions of recipients. Multivariate analysis of variance confirmed statistically that unregistered respondents evaluated recipients more negatively than registered respondents, F(6, 449) = 5.33, p < 0.001. Unregistered respondents were more likely to view recipients as a smoker, substance user, or alcohol dependent and as undeserving of a transplant, blameworthy, and responsible for their illness. CONCLUSION   Potential donors' perceptions of transplant recipients' behavior and responsibility for illness differ according to their registration status. Future interventions should challenge negative perceptions about recipients' deservingness and responsibility and promote the perspective that people from all walks of life need transplants in the aim of ultimately encouraging an increase in donor registration.