Critical Care Nurses' Perceptions and Experiences of the Organ Donation Process : A Systematic Review
Thilly Roth, Natcha and Åkerman, Eva LU
(2026)
In Nursing Open
13(1).
- Abstract
Aim: To describe critical care nurses' perceptions and experiences of the organ donation process. Design and Methods: A systematic review with a literature search in CINAHL, PubMed, and PsycINFO was conducted between 2009–2024 and reported by the PRISMA guidelines. 14 qualitative studies were assessed for relevance and methodological quality. Data were extracted by two of the researchers. A quality appraisal was performed according to a review template, first individually and then discussed in the research group. The analysis followed an interpretative synthesis, in three steps: coding, developing descriptive themes and generating analytical themes. Results: Four themes were identified: lack of knowledge, work environment, meeting with... (More)
Aim: To describe critical care nurses' perceptions and experiences of the organ donation process. Design and Methods: A systematic review with a literature search in CINAHL, PubMed, and PsycINFO was conducted between 2009–2024 and reported by the PRISMA guidelines. 14 qualitative studies were assessed for relevance and methodological quality. Data were extracted by two of the researchers. A quality appraisal was performed according to a review template, first individually and then discussed in the research group. The analysis followed an interpretative synthesis, in three steps: coding, developing descriptive themes and generating analytical themes. Results: Four themes were identified: lack of knowledge, work environment, meeting with relatives and nurse's challenges. The nurses described that caring for a potential organ donor was complex. The nurses' general lack of knowledge about organ donation led to stress and feelings of uncertainty, which in turn created limitations in the donation process. Nurses identified several challenges with the organ donation process. Conclusion: The staff found the organ donation process challenging on various levels. There was a significant need for crisis processing for all professionals involved in the donation process. Implications: Addressing the knowledge gap through clear guidelines and internal training to enhance the organ donation process. Providing time for debriefing can help manage strain on professionals. Impact: This study highlights the critical need for improved education and emotional support for critical care nurses. Implementing these changes can lead to more efficient and compassionate organ donation processes.
(Less)
- author
- Thilly Roth, Natcha
and Åkerman, Eva
LU
- organization
- publishing date
- 2026-01
- type
- Contribution to journal
- publication status
- published
- subject
- keywords
- critical care nursing, experiences, organ donation, organ transplantation
- in
- Nursing Open
- volume
- 13
- issue
- 1
- article number
- e70420
- publisher
- Wiley-Blackwell
- external identifiers
-
- scopus:105026605076
- pmid:41489155
- ISSN
- 2054-1058
- DOI
- 10.1002/nop2.70420
- language
- English
- LU publication?
- yes
- additional info
- Publisher Copyright: © 2026 The Author(s). Nursing Open published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.
- id
- 3717627c-d34c-460b-b441-3974b46cdae1
- date added to LUP
- 2026-08-11 16:00:42
- date last changed
- 2026-09-22 18:37:20
@article{3717627c-d34c-460b-b441-3974b46cdae1,
abstract = {{<p>Aim: To describe critical care nurses' perceptions and experiences of the organ donation process. Design and Methods: A systematic review with a literature search in CINAHL, PubMed, and PsycINFO was conducted between 2009–2024 and reported by the PRISMA guidelines. 14 qualitative studies were assessed for relevance and methodological quality. Data were extracted by two of the researchers. A quality appraisal was performed according to a review template, first individually and then discussed in the research group. The analysis followed an interpretative synthesis, in three steps: coding, developing descriptive themes and generating analytical themes. Results: Four themes were identified: lack of knowledge, work environment, meeting with relatives and nurse's challenges. The nurses described that caring for a potential organ donor was complex. The nurses' general lack of knowledge about organ donation led to stress and feelings of uncertainty, which in turn created limitations in the donation process. Nurses identified several challenges with the organ donation process. Conclusion: The staff found the organ donation process challenging on various levels. There was a significant need for crisis processing for all professionals involved in the donation process. Implications: Addressing the knowledge gap through clear guidelines and internal training to enhance the organ donation process. Providing time for debriefing can help manage strain on professionals. Impact: This study highlights the critical need for improved education and emotional support for critical care nurses. Implementing these changes can lead to more efficient and compassionate organ donation processes.</p>}},
author = {{Thilly Roth, Natcha and Åkerman, Eva}},
issn = {{2054-1058}},
keywords = {{critical care nursing; experiences; organ donation; organ transplantation}},
language = {{eng}},
number = {{1}},
publisher = {{Wiley-Blackwell}},
series = {{Nursing Open}},
title = {{Critical Care Nurses' Perceptions and Experiences of the Organ Donation Process : A Systematic Review}},
url = {{http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/nop2.70420}},
doi = {{10.1002/nop2.70420}},
volume = {{13}},
year = {{2026}},
}