Lessons from the Portuguese solid organ donation and transplantation system: achieving success despite challenging conditions
File(s)
Published version
Author(s)
Type
Journal Article
Abstract
Over the past two decades, Portugal has become one of the world leaders in organ donation and transplantation despite significant financial constraints. This study highlights how Portugal achieved success in organ donation and transplantation and discusses how this information might be used by other countries that are seeking to reform their national programs. To accomplish this goal, we performed a narrative review of relevant academic and grey literature and revised our results after consultation with two national experts. Our findings were then synthesized according to a conceptual framework for organ donation and transplantation programs. Our results revealed several key strategies used by the Portuguese organ donation and transplantation program, including collaboration with Spain and other European nations, a focus on tertiary prevention, and sustained financial commitment. This report also explores how cooperative efforts were facilitated by geographical, governmental, and cultural proximity to Spain, a world leader in organ donation and transplantation. In conclusion, our review of the Portuguese experience provides insight into the development of organ donation and transplantation systems. However, other countries seeking to reform their national transplant systems will need to adapt these policies and practices to align with their unique cultures and contexts.
Date Issued
2023-05-25
Date Acceptance
2023-04-14
Citation
Transplant International, 2023, 36
ISSN
0934-0874
Publisher
Frontiers Media S.A.
Journal / Book Title
Transplant International
Volume
36
Copyright Statement
© 2023 Streit, Johnston-Webber, Mah, Prionas, Wharton, Paulino, Franca, Mossialos and Papalois. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (CC BY). The use, distribution or reproduction in other forums is permitted, provided the original author(s) and the copyright owner(s) are credited and that the original publication in this journal is cited, in accordance with accepted academic practice. No use, distribution or reproduction is permitted which does not comply with these terms.
License URL
Identifier
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/37305338
PII: 11008
Subjects
CARE
HEALTH
Life Sciences & Biomedicine
organ donation
organ transplantation
Portugal
Science & Technology
SPAIN
Surgery
transplant program
Transplantation
transplantation policy
Publication Status
Published
Coverage Spatial
Switzerland
Article Number
11008
Date Publish Online
2023-05-25