Ethical Discourse of Transplant Team Members on Adult Allogeneic Hematopoietic Stem Cell Donors: A Multicenter Qualitative Study by the Donor Research Team (DART) of the Turkish Society of Hematology.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to analyze the views and experiences of transplant team members working at adult allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation centers regarding related and unrelated donors. This donor-centered study is expected to contribute to a deeper understanding of the ethical issues encountered during the transplantation process. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study used a qualitative research method. As part of the study, individual interviews were conducted with 28 transplant team members (13 physicians and 15 transplant team members with various responsibilities in the transplantation process) working at seven transplantation centers in six cities across Türkiye. The data obtained were evaluated using thematic content analysis. RESULTS: Based on individual interviews with transplant team members, the research data were clustered into the following themes: (1) ethical principles and core values in the transplantation process; (2) obtaining informed consent from donors; (3) donor safety; (4) ethical issues and proposed solutions in the transplantation process; and (5) the scope and limitations of clinical ethics consultation in the transplantation process. CONCLUSION: Three key implications emerged from this study. The first concerns the importance of establishing and maintaining a trust-based relationship between the transplant team and the donor, even after the transplantation process. Another point relates to donor advocacy. Transplant team members have diverse duties and responsibilities throughout the transplant process. The final point concerns the need for clinical ethics consultation to support transplant team members when they encounter ethical dilemmas.