Family considerations about the decision to refuse organ donation

Objective: To understand the social representations that guided family decision to refuse organ donation for transplant and to identify the actions of the social environment that influenced this refusal. Methods: Qualitative study using a descriptive exploratory design. Nine family members were interviewed between February and August 2009, whose family member death had been reported regularly by the Transplantation Center of Pernambuco. The statements underwent content analysis in semantic categories. Results: Three semantic categories emerged which supported this study: The care and management model of health services is critical in refusing the donation; the body is inviolable; and belief in the possibility of returning to life-heart as the source of life and faith strengthening hope. Conclusion: The participants' refusal to organ donation has been supported in the context of service provided and hospital care received, as well as cultural and religious values.