{"status":"ok","message-type":"work","message-version":"1.0.0","message":{"indexed":{"date-parts":[[2026,7,27]],"date-time":"2026-07-27T15:01:48Z","timestamp":1785164508496,"version":"3.55.0"},"reference-count":38,"publisher":"BMJ","issue":"7","license":[{"start":{"date-parts":[[2026,7,27]],"date-time":"2026-07-27T00:00:00Z","timestamp":1785110400000},"content-version":"unspecified","delay-in-days":26,"URL":"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc\/4.0\/"}],"funder":[{"name":"Spanish Government","award":["MINECO FFI2017-88913-P"],"award-info":[{"award-number":["MINECO FFI2017-88913-P"]}]},{"name":"Spanish Government","award":["MINECO PID2020-118729RB"],"award-info":[{"award-number":["MINECO PID2020-118729RB"]}]}],"content-domain":{"domain":["bmj.com"],"crossmark-restriction":true},"short-container-title":["BMJ Open"],"accepted":{"date-parts":[[2026,7,3]]},"published-print":{"date-parts":[[2026,7]]},"abstract":"<jats:title>Abstract<\/jats:title>\n                  <jats:sec>\n                    <jats:title>Objectives<\/jats:title>\n                    <jats:p>To explore families\u2019 experiences of deceased organ donation and examine the perceived influence of participation in the donation process on grief and bereavement in Spain.<\/jats:p>\n                  <\/jats:sec>\n                  <jats:sec>\n                    <jats:title>Design<\/jats:title>\n                    <jats:p>Qualitative study with a phenomenological orientation, conducted as the qualitative component of a broader mixed-method prospective cohort study, using semi-structured interviews and thematic analysis informed by an abductive approach.<\/jats:p>\n                  <\/jats:sec>\n                  <jats:sec>\n                    <jats:title>Setting<\/jats:title>\n                    <jats:p>The study was conducted in Spain with relatives of patients declared dead by neurological or circulatory criteria following potential deceased organ donation processes.<\/jats:p>\n                  <\/jats:sec>\n                  <jats:sec>\n                    <jats:title>Participants<\/jats:title>\n                    <jats:p>47 relatives were interviewed approximately 1\u2009month after the death of their family member. Interviews explored experiences of end-of-life care, communication with healthcare professionals, the organ donation request process and grief.<\/jats:p>\n                  <\/jats:sec>\n                  <jats:sec>\n                    <jats:title>Results<\/jats:title>\n                    <jats:p>Participants described organ donation as a meaningful experience that, in many cases, contributed to consolation, emotional well-being and a more adaptive grieving process. Trust in healthcare professionals, clear and compassionate communication, understanding of death determination and knowledge of the deceased person\u2019s wishes emerged as important facilitating factors. However, some participants also reported ambivalence, uncertainty, guilt or regret, particularly when disagreement within the family or doubts regarding the diagnosis persisted. Beyond its practical implications, organ donation was frequently associated with symbolic meanings such as continuity of life, solidarity and the preservation of the deceased person\u2019s legacy.<\/jats:p>\n                  <\/jats:sec>\n                  <jats:sec>\n                    <jats:title>Conclusions<\/jats:title>\n                    <jats:p>Families\u2019 experiences of organ donation are complex and emotionally nuanced. When relatives feel supported, informed and confident in the decision-making process, organ donation may help provide meaning and comfort during bereavement. These findings highlight the importance of sensitive, family-centred communication and relational care practices in deceased organ donation processes.<\/jats:p>\n                  <\/jats:sec>","DOI":"10.1136\/bmjopen-2025-114520","type":"journal-article","created":{"date-parts":[[2026,7,27]],"date-time":"2026-07-27T14:35:16Z","timestamp":1785162916000},"page":"e114520","update-policy":"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1136\/crossmarkpolicy","source":"Crossref","is-referenced-by-count":0,"title":["Emotional landscape of organ donation: a qualitative study of families\u2019 experiences in Spain"],"prefix":"10.1136","volume":"16","author":[{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0000-0002-1101-1413","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Mar\u00eda Victoria","family":"Mart\u00ednez-L\u00f3pez","sequence":"first","affiliation":[{"name":"Department of Nursing, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Granada, Melilla, Spain"},{"name":"Ethical, Legal and Psychosocial Aspects of Transplantation (ELPAT), European Society for Organ Transplantation (ESOT), Padua, Veneto, Italy"},{"name":"FiloLab Unit of Excellence, University of Granada, Granada, Spain"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0000-0002-4555-5259","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"David","family":"Rodr\u00edguez-Arias","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"FiloLab Unit of Excellence, University of Granada, Granada, Spain"},{"name":"Department of Philosophy I, Faculty of Philosophy and Letters, University of Granada, Granada, Spain"},{"name":"C\u00e1tedra Youngner de Bio\u00e9tica Emp\u00edrica, University of Granada, Granada, Spain"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Manuela","family":"Cid","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"University Hospital Virgen del Roc\u00edo, Seville, Spain"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Elisabeth","family":"Coll","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Organizaci\u00f3n Nacional de Trasplantes, Madrid, Spain"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Francisco","family":"Cruz-Quintana","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Department of Personality, Assessment and Psychological Treatment, Faculty of Psychology, University of Granada, Granada, Spain"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Domingo","family":"Daga","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Andalusian Regional Transplant Coordination, University Hospital Virgen de la Victoria, M\u00e1laga, Spain"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Beatriz","family":"Dominguez-Gil","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Organizaci\u00f3n Nacional de Trasplantes, Madrid, Spain"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Jose Maria","family":"Due\u00f1as-Jurado","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"University Hospital Reina Sof\u00eda, C\u00f3rdoba, Spain"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Antonio","family":"Gordillo-Brenes","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"University Hospital Puerta del Mar, C\u00e1diz, Spain"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Ram\u00f3n","family":"Lara Rosales","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"University Hospital Virgen de las Nieves, Granada, Spain"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Alicia","family":"P\u00e9rez Blanco","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Ethical, Legal and Psychosocial Aspects of Transplantation (ELPAT), European Society for Organ Transplantation (ESOT), Padua, Veneto, Italy"},{"name":"Organizaci\u00f3n Nacional de Trasplantes, Madrid, Spain"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Jose Miguel","family":"P\u00e9rez-Villares","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"University Hospital Virgen de las Nieves, Granada, Spain"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"David","family":"Uru\u00f1uela Olloqui","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Organizaci\u00f3n Nacional de Trasplantes, Madrid, Spain"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Maria-Nieves","family":"Perez-Marfil","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Department of Personality, Assessment and Psychological Treatment, Faculty of Psychology, University of Granada, Granada, 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