Liver Transplantation Resource Allocation Decision Making Public Opinion Article type: Original Article

Implication for health policy/practice/research/medical education: Allocation of scarce health care resources is a moral issue in health policy. It is a subject that is appealing to the public, who observe the allocation process for its fairness. Therefore, attention to public points of view in drafting any guideline in this regard may as-sure equity in distributing scarce resources among needful patients. Background: Although liver transplantation is the last resort for treating end stage liver dis-eases, this medical procedure is not available for all needful patients because of inadequate organ supply. Therefore, guidelines have been developed by medical experts to regulate the process. Some professionals believe that medical criteria are inadequate for organ allocation in all situations and may not secure fairness of organ allocation. Objectives: The current study has been designed to identify decision criteria about allocation of donated liver to potential recipients from public points of view. Patients and Methods: This is a qualitative study that was conducted through individual interviews and Focus Group Discussions. Individual interviews were conducted among pa