One of the main barriers when encouraging someone to become an organ donor is clearing up any misconceptions a person might have. For example, many people believe that organ donation can negatively impact the kind of medical treatment they will receive, and this belief isn’t generally supported by the evidence. Other key steps in arguing that someone should become an organ donor include explaining the desperate need for more donors, and letting the people know that organ donation isn’t going to add any serious inconvenience to their lives.
Many people who are hesitant to become an organ donor may not be aware of how many lives depend on organ donation. It’s also possible that some individuals may not know about all the situations where a donor is never found and the patients who ultimately don’t make it as a result. Even if the person in question does know these facts, it doesn’t necessarily guarantee that the information is at the forefront of that individual’s mind or that the person is factoring these things in when making the crucial decision. Letting an individual know about the great need for donors can sometimes cause the person to reconsider any stance he or she may have.
Some people hesitate to become an organ donor because they believe that it will inconvenience their lives in some way. They may not realize that it is generally considered a fairly simple process that can normally be handled in a relatively short amount of time, and they might put the whole thing off as a result. Educating people on the simplicity of the registration process and then reminding them about the need for organ donation can sometimes assuage these kinds of concerns. When people realize how simple organ donation is and consider the potential benefit to others, they might change their minds.
Sometimes there is a bit of hesitation to deal with organ donation because the subject itself forces people to consider their own death, which is often an uncomfortable thought. Others worry that doctors will be more concerned about getting their organs than saving their lives in an emergency situation. Experts suggest that this worry about different treatment from physicians is a fairly common belief and may be one of the main reasons some people don’t become donors. Many people may not know that their doctors in an emergency are not actually the same doctors who will be taking the organs if they don’t make it. Once people understand that donors are matched to those in need by a separate group that has no direct connection to their hospital, they might reconsider a decision not to be a donor.