This is an interesting article on the complexities of the 'opt out' organ donation system, as the Doc was discussing. It includes mention of countries where this led to a fall in organ donation rates.
What an interesting read......... I assumed that an opt out system would mean just that, if you do not wish to be a donor you opt out, if you do nothing you are considered a donor. As I said earlier what is the point in someone having a donor card/opt out system when the family members can deny the procedure? Perhaps some people who do have a donor card have not discussed this with their family, therefore it is a shock for the family, it all goes back to lack of discussion and openness regarding death and dying.
As the Doc said, most donors seem to come via traumatic head injury like car crashes, so I guess that in itself is too much to deal with - the news, the speed you have to decide, the tiny window. I imagine a lot of people hold out hope that the loved one can be somehow revived and there is a lot of misunderstanding about being 'kept alive' by machines, what 'brain death' means etc. They would think of the news stories and the films where people snap out of long term comas and vegetative states. They might think it's worth hanging on in case, esp if the patient is young and strong. I can imagine that it's all so complex - emotionally, religiously, crazy hormones flying around, panic, grieving for a future lost, group family decisions, distrust of the medical establishment, doctors in a hurry.....
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https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-scotland-45