American Journal of Transplantation
Volume 15, Issue 7, 2015, Pages 1759-1767

Reporting organ trafficking networks: A survey-based plea to breach the secrecy oath (Article)

Ambagtsheer F.* , Van Balen L.J. , Duijst-Heesters W.L.J.M. , Massey E.K. , Weimar W.
  • a Department of Internal Medicine, Section Nephrology and Transplantation, Erasmus MC, University Medical Center Rotterdam, Rotterdam, Netherlands
  • b Department of Internal Medicine, Section Nephrology and Transplantation, Erasmus MC, University Medical Center Rotterdam, Rotterdam, Netherlands
  • c Department of Public Health, Radboud University Nijmegen, Rotterdam, Netherlands
  • d Department of Internal Medicine, Section Nephrology and Transplantation, Erasmus MC, University Medical Center Rotterdam, Rotterdam, Netherlands
  • e Department of Internal Medicine, Section Nephrology and Transplantation, Erasmus MC, University Medical Center Rotterdam, Rotterdam, Netherlands

Abstract

Patients travel worldwide to purchase kidneys. Transplant professionals can play a role in identifying kidney purchase. However, due to the tension between their rights and obligations, a lack of understanding and knowledge exists on how to prevent and report purchase. We present the results of a national survey that describes transplant professionals' experiences, attitudes, behaviors, conflicts of duties, legal knowledge and needs for guidelines toward patients who purchase kidneys abroad. Second, we clarify professionals' rights and obligations regarding organ purchase and propose actions that they can take to report purchase. Of the 100/241 (42%) professionals who treated patients who traveled to a country outside the European Union for a kidney transplant, 31 (31%) were certain that patients purchased kidneys. Sixty-five (65%) had suspicions that patients had bought kidneys. The majority reported a conflict of duties. Eighty percent reported a need for guidelines. Professionals can help prevent organ purchase by disclosing information about organ trafficking networks to law enforcement. Such disclosure can support the investigation and prosecution of networks. We offer key components for guidelines on disclosure of these networks. The authors describe the outcome of a survey of transplant professionals regarding experiences, attitudes, behaviors, conflicts of duties, and general approaches toward patients who purchase kidneys, using these results to craft guidelines on how transplant professionals can disclose organ trafficking networks. © Copyright 2015 The American Society of Transplantation and the American Society of Transplant Surgeons.

Author Keywords

ethics and public policy kidney transplantation Donors and donation nephrology organ sale Ethics kidney transplantation: living donor Trade

Index Keywords

personal experience patient care doctor patient relation Physician-Patient Relations organ transplantation morality living donor Living Donors interpersonal communication human ethics middle aged Practice Guidelines as Topic Ethics, Medical medical ethics priority journal Aged purchasing conflict of interest Tissue and Organ Procurement health personnel attitude Cross-Sectional Studies Confidentiality human rights transplantation Humans cross-sectional study male female professional knowledge European Union Continuity of Patient Care standards Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice Article legislation and jurisprudence adult legal liability Kidney Transplantation professional secrecy practice guideline attitude to health organ trafficking crime law enforcement health survey

Link
https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-84931570356&doi=10.1111%2fajt.13245&partnerID=40&md5=9c3055061f73baf4617e10870fa328ae

DOI: 10.1111/ajt.13245
ISSN: 16006135
Cited by: 9
Original Language: English