What are effective approaches to increasing rates of organ donor registration among ethnic minority populations: a systematic review.
Deedat S, Kenten, C, et al.BMJ Open.2013; 3, e003453.
Aims
To systematically review the evidence available for the interventions designed to improve registration rates and knowledge of organ donation among ethnic minorities.
Interventions
The interventions identified in this study included media interventions and campaigns, presentations by out reach programmes including transplant recipients, donors and healthcare professionals.
Participants
Adult and school children from an ethnic minority.
Outcomes
The outcomes included verified registration, willingness/intent to register and change in registration rates.
Follow-up
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CET Conclusions
This is a well conducted and clearly reported systematic review. Appropriate and inclusive search domains were used to capture relevant evidence. Meta-analysis was understandably precluded by differences in outcomes, populations and study designs. These differences also make it difficult to compare included studies and the relevant importance of their individual results. Community based educational interventions with a strong interpersonal element seem to be more effective in improving verified registration with organ donor registers than mass media campaigns. There was some evidence that media campaigns could, however, improve knowledge gaps and misconceptions. This remains an important outcome when considering that registration alone is not the only significant factor in poor donation rates amongst ethnic minorities. All but one of the 18 included studies were conducted in the USA, which may impact the wider generalizability of the conclusions.
Trial registration
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