PERSPECTIVES AND TRENDS IN ORGAN AND TISSUE DONATION

Abstract

The aim. To comprehensively analyze the process of organ and tissue donation, the types of donations, psychological aspects, associated challenges, and to discuss contemporary strategies and trends in promoting donation. The study seeks to evaluate the donation process in Lithuania and internationally by examining medical, ethical, and societal factors influencing the development of donation systems and public trust in this field.
Materials and methods. A literature review methodology was employed. A total of 80 sources were analyzed, from which the most relevant theoretical and empirical studies published between 2000 and 2025 were selected. The databases used included PubMed, ScienceDirect, and Google Scholar. Sources were selected based on language (English, German, Spanish, and Lithuanian), scientific reliability, topic relevance, and objectivity. The collected information was systematically organized into major thematic areas and synthesized using a descriptive-analytical approach.
Results and conclusions. The analysis revealed that organ and tissue donation remain one of the most significant fields in modern medicine, directly contributing to improved patient survival and quality of life. Countries which apply a presumed consent (“opt-out”) system, such as Spain and Belgium, achieve substantially higher donation rates than countries that implement an explicit consent (“opt-in”) model. In Lithuania, the informed consent system has contributed to increased donation rates; however, several challenges persist, including limited public education, a shortage of transplant coordinators, and insufficient communication within healthcare institutions.