OVERVIEW

Currently it is illegal for the donor or donor’s family to receive anything of value in exchange for an organ. The one policy that has not been considered to increase the donor supply and which probably has the most potential is to offer a reward or some other compensation to the donor. The primary argument offered by those opposed to rewarding the donor is that it is medically unethical?
The primary purpose of this symposium is addressing this issue of whether rewarding the donor is medically unethical.

• The cost benefit question;
• The risks and safety of donation;
• Immediate options to increase organ donation;
• The very recent development of organ sharing;
• U.S. public attitudes towards rewarding the donor;
• The experiences of a living donor;
• The limits of increasing the count of deceased donors.

TARGET AUDIENCE

This activity is designed for physicians and other healthcare professionals dedicated to the improvement of the kidney donation system in the United States.

LEARNING OBJECTIVES

At the conclusion of this educational activity, participants will be able to:

• Assess the limits of the position that rewarding donors is medically unethical;
• Evaluate the National Organ Transplant Act-induced failures of the altruistic system for organ procurement ;
• Recall the impact of the shortage of kidneys for transplantation, including the preventable deaths as well as the social and economic loss;
• State immediately available actions to expand kidney donors;
• Outline the expansion limits of the deceased donor supply;
• Describe the U.S. population’s attitude towards rewarding organ donors;
• Identify the potential for government action to end the organ shortage;
• Compare the potential benefits and costs to patients, society, and caregivers of a government program designed to increase the donor supply by gifting to donors;
• Consider the beneficial impact of donor organ sharing.

ACCREDITATION

The University of Chicago Pritzker School of Medicine is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) to provide continuing medical education for physicians.

The University of Chicago Pritzker School of Medicine designates this live activity for a maximum of 2.75 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

For more information please visit the official event page.