Organ & Tissue Donation

This book contributes to the end-of-life, palliative and bereavement care literature. The outstanding feature of this book is its strong evidence base of original research about the social and psychological issues that under gird the organ donation event; bringing together contemporary research carried out in the developed world.The book covers: The historical development of human dissection and how it created a context for legislation and how human organ and tissue donation is currently understood; contemporary views of the experience of grief in the early 21st century; social theories that help to explain the donation event and families' experiences; evidence to assist families in their decision-making; the longitudinal perspective and issues that affect families' bereavement; aspects of tissue donation. The final chapter draws together the relevant information from preceding chapters and discusses implications for policy and practice.This book is internationally applicable, especially in countries with Westernised health care systems and where organ donation takes place using similar practices.