Respect, Interaction, and Immediacy: Addressing the Challenges Associated With the Different Religious and Cultural Approaches to Organ Donation in Australia

Abstract

Australia is a multicultural society of just over 25 million people, with approximately 310 different ancestries, 300 languages, and 150 religions. This diversity suggests that Australia's people might hold a multiplicity of beliefs regarding organ donation. Research shows that most people in Australia have a strong, positive perception of organ donation; they believe that organ donation helps others and benefits society. However, the current rate of 21.6 donors per million population is below expectations and below the demand for organs needed for transplantation. This has led us to ask whether donation consent rates are differentiated by religious and cultural affiliation. We present a case study of New South Wales, Australia, to address this issue. New South Wales is the most populous state in Australia and is also religiously and culturally diverse. Donation consent data (2016-2019) by ethnicity and by religion show that donation consent rates have improved but not across all groups. Initiatives to increase awareness and support for organ and tissue donation among culturally and linguistically diverse and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities are discussed. Research is also presented that investigates whether registration rates on the Australian Organ Donor Register can be increased and the implications of this for increasing consent for donation. This research underscores the importance of respecting the diversity of beliefs held regarding organ donation, both positive and negative; offering all people a face-to-face interaction opportunity to consider their beliefs about organ donation, ask questions, and raise concerns without judgment; and providing people with an immediate opportunity to register their donation decision on the Australian Organ Donor Register. The challenges associated with adopting these initiatives are considered along with the role of religious and cultural leaders within the context of organ donation and registration; the unspoken concerns of cultural and religious groups are also addressed. In conclusion, we propose that the rich diversity of Australian society is more of a backdrop than a barrier to organ donation.