Abstract
There is a critical shortage of transplantable organs in the UK. At present, there is no literature on Polish migrants’ (the fastest growing community in the UK) attitudes toward organ donation. This is the first study to explore the views of the Polish community towards organ donation in the UK. There were 31 participants that took part in semi-structured interviews or small focus groups to discuss organ donation for approximately 1½–2 h. Interviews were transcribed and analysed using grounded theory methods to elicit thematic categories and sub-categories. Overall, participants had a positive attitude towards organ donation but demonstrated a lack of knowledge about the organ donation systems and processes in the UK and wanted to learn more about these issues. As little detailed data on ethnicity is collected on the NHS Organ Donor Register and on the active transplant waiting list, it is currently unclear as to how organ donation affects the Polish community living in the UK. However, the findings of the study highlight the Polish community could benefit from tailored education for a clearer understanding of organ donation processes and systems in the UK and registering as an organ donor.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
NHS Blood and Transplant. Taking organ transplantation to 2020. 2013. http://www.nhsbt.nhs.uk/to2020/. Accessed 17 February 2014.
Organ donation online. Infographics for organ donation and transplantation. 2013a. http://www.organdonation.nhs.uk/campaigns/campaign-materials.asp. Accessed 17 February 2014.
Jakubowska-Winecka A, et al. Extreme attitudes toward organ transplantation: how do supporters and opponents of this method of treatment differ in Poland? Transpl Proc. 2006;38:111–3.
Perenc L, Radochonski M, Radochonski A. Knowledge and attitudes of Polish university students toward organ donation and transplantation. Psychol Health Med. 2012;17(6):667–73.
Rainey S. Why poles love coming to Britain, The Telegraph 2013. http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/immigration/9840059/Why-Poles-love-coming-to-Britain.html. Accessed 12 May 2014.
Booth, R. Polish becomes England’s second language, 2013. http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2013/jan/30/polish-becomes-englands-second-language. Last accessed 6 February 2013.
Office for National Statistics. Polish people in the UK—half a million Polish residents. 2011. http://www.ons.gov.uk/ons/rel/migration1/migration-statistics-quarterly-report/august-2011/polish-people-in-the-uk.html. Accessed 17 February 2014.
NHSBT. Activity report 2012–2013. 2013. http://www.organdonation.nhs.uk/statistics/transplant_activity_report/. Accessed 12 May 2014.
NHSBT. Organ donor register. 2014. https://www.organdonation.nhs.uk/how_to_become_a_donor/registration/consent.asp. Accessed 12 May 2014.
Jaroslaw C, Antoszkiewicz K, Pszenny A, Malanowski P, Dudkiewicz M, Woderska A, Kobus G, Ciszek M, Walaszewski J. Present data on organ donation and transplantation in Poland. Transpl Proc. 2009;41:2955–8.
Kubler A, Lipinska-Gediga M, Kedziora J, Kubler M. Attitudes to brain death and organ procurement among university students and critical care physicians in Poland. Transpl Proc. 2009;41:1473–6.
Rowinski W, Paczek L. Organ transplantation in Poland. Transpl Proc. 2002;34:537–8.
Bauere V, Densham P, Millar J, Salt J. Migrants from central and eastern Europe: local geographies. Popul Trends. 2007;129:7–19.
Ritchie J, Lewis J, Elam G. Designing and selecting samples. In: Ritchie R, Lewis J, editors. Qualitative research in practice: a guide for social science students and researchers. London: Sage; 2004.
Burrell K. Going steerage on Ryanair: cultures of migrant air travel between Poland and the UK. J Transp Geogr. 2010;19(5):1023–30.
Milaniak I, Przybylowski P, Wierzbicki K, Sadowski J. Organ transplant education: the way to form altruistic behaviours among secondary school students toward organ donation. Transpl Proc. 2010;42:130–3.
Durcznski A, Dabrowska A, Strzelczyk J. Organ transplantation remains taboo topic in Polish families—small town youths survey results. Clin Exp Med Lett. 2011;52(1–2):53–5.
Baum E, Musielak M. Approach of Polish medical students to ethical problems related to transplantation and the application of stem cells. Arch Perinat Med. 2008;14(2):51–3.
Olender E, Palczynska A, Rykowski M, Uhrynowska-Tszkiewicz I, Kaminiski A. Knowledge and opinions about tissue donation and transplantation among Polish students and physicians. Cell Tissue Bank. 2010;11:173–81.
Morgan SE, Harrison TR, Long SD, Afifi WA, Stephenson MS, Reichert T. Family discussions about organ donation: how the media influences opinions about donation decisions. Clin Transplant. 2005;19:674–82.
Siminoff LA, Gordon N, Hewlett J, Arnold RM. Factors influencing families’ consent for donation of solid organs for transplantation. J Am Med Assoc. 2001;286:71–7.
Conflict of interest
None.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Sharp, C., Randhawa, G. UK Polish Migrant Attitudes Toward Deceased Organ Donation: Findings from a Pilot Study. J Immigrant Minority Health 17, 1157–1162 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10903-014-0070-3
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10903-014-0070-3