Effect of language and country of birth on the consent process and medical suitability of potential organ donors; a linked-data cohort study 2010–2015

Abstract Purpose Australia has unmet need for transplantation. We sought to assess the impact of cultural and linguistic diversity (CALD) on family consent and medical suitability for organ donation. Method Cohort study of New South Wales donor referrals, 2010–2015. Logistic regression estimated effects of primary language other than English and birthplace outside Australia (odds ratios OR, with 95% confidence intervals, 95%CI). Outcomes were whether families were asked for consent to donation, provided consent for donation, and whether the referral was medically suitable for donation. Results Of 2977 organ donor referrals, a similar proportion of families had consent for donation was sought between non-English speakers and English speakers (p = .07), and between overseas-born compared to Australian-born referrals (p = .3). However, consent was less likely to be given for both non-English speakers than English speakers (OR 0.44, 95%CI:0.29–0.67), and those overseas-born than Australian-born (OR 0.54, 95%CI:0.41–0.72). For referrals both overseas-born and non-English speaking, families were both less likely to be asked for consent (OR 0.67; 95%CI:0.49–0.91) or give consent (OR 0.24; 95%CI0.16–0.37). There was no difference in medical suitability between English speakers and non-English speakers (p = .6), or between Australian-born and overseas-born referrals (p = .6). Conclusion Intervention to improve consent rates from CALD families may increase donation.