Table 2.
Percentage responses to organ donation myths for the opt‐in, deemed consent, and combined opt‐out/not sure group (all answers are false)
| Statement | Group | N | Response % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| True | False | |||
| 1. Doctors might not do their best to save someone's life if they know they are on the NHS Organ Donor Register | I would opt‐in | 793 | 2.6 | 97.4 |
| I have no objection to donating my organs (deemed consent for organ donation) | 292 | 4.1 | 95.9 | |
| I would opt‐out/not sure | 112 | 21.4 | 78.6 | |
| 2. People could still be alive when their organs are removeda | I would opt‐in | 793 | 44 | 56 |
| I have no objection to donating my organs (deemed consent for organ donation) | 291 | 42.6 | 57.4 | |
| I would opt‐out/not sure | 113 | 47.8 | 52.2 | |
| 3. Organ donation is against many religious beliefs | I would opt‐in | 793 | 59.3 | 40.7 |
| I have no objection to donating my organs (deemed consent for organ donation) | 291 | 63.2 | 36.8 | |
| I would opt‐out/not sure | 113 | 68.1 | 31.9 | |
| 4. Organ Donation leaves the body disfigured and afterwards, people won't be able to have an open‐casket funeral | I would opt‐in | 791 | 1.5 | 98.5 |
| I have no objection to donating my organs (deemed consent for organ donation) | 291 | 1.7 | 98.3 | |
| I would opt‐out/not sure | 113 | 7.1 | 92.9 | |
| 5. There is an age limit for organ donation | I would opt‐in | 793 | 18.4 | 81.6 |
| I have no objection to donating my organs (deemed consent for organ donation) | 290 | 21.0 | 79.0 | |
| I would opt‐out/not sure | 113 | 18.6 | 81.4 | |
| 6. The NHS only need adult organ donors | I would opt‐in | 791 | 0.1 | 99.9 |
| I have no objection to donating my organs (deemed consent for organ donation) | 292 | 0.3 | 99.7 | |
| I would opt‐out/not sure | 113 | 0 | 100 | |
| 7. There are enough organs available for the people waiting for an organ transplant | I would opt‐in | 791 | 1.0 | 99.0 |
| I have no objection to donating my organs (deemed consent for organ donation) | 292 | 1.0 | 99.0 | |
| I would opt‐out/not sure | 113 | 0.0 | 100 | |
| 8. People who have medical conditions can't donate | I would opt‐in | 790 | 6.7 | 93.3 |
| I have no objection to donating my organs (deemed consent for organ donation) | 292 | 8.9 | 91.1 | |
| I would opt‐out/not sure | 112 | 18.8 | 81.3 | |
| 9. Donated organs can be bought and sold | I would opt‐in | 793 | 5.0 | 95.0 |
| I have no objection to donating my organs (deemed consent for organ donation) | 292 | 5.1 | 94.9 | |
| I would opt‐out/not sure | 113 | 12.4 | 87.6 | |
NHS = National Health Service.
a
The high percentage of incorrect responses may result from ambiguity in this question regarding the potential to donate organs as a living donor.