Social Sciences Project Abstract
BRAIN DEATH AND ITS PERCEPTION IN SOCIETY
Presenters:
David Qasem, Illinois Mathematics and Science Academy, 1500 West Sullivan Road, Aurora, IL, 60506; dqasem@imsa.edu
Vyas Viswanathan, Illinois Mathematics and Science Academy, 1500 West Sullivan Road, Aurora, IL, 60506; vviswana@imsa.edu
Mentor:
Dr. Jeffry I. Frank, University of Chicago, 5841 S. Maryland Avenue MC 2030, Chicago, IL, 60637; 773-834-4602
Abstract:
There is a highly diverse comprehension about the implications of devastating brain injuries. An extreme form of brain damage can lead to the irreversible cessation of all brain functions, known as brain death. However, to some people, medical and lay, the line between brain death and devastating brain injury is ambiguous. Even when there is a general agreement in what brain death is about, the methodology to make the diagnosis is unfortunately varies from hospital to hospital. Perception of what constitutes death is critical in defining the significance and approaching the diagnosis of brain death. Because the phenomenon of irreversible cessation of brain function and the definition of brain death is relatively young (< 40 years), general societal perceptions of death have most likely changed recently in meaningful ways. In this study we explore people's perceptions about the significance and current knowledge regarding brain death by surveying different demographic groups , stage an intervention to help people better understand the advent of brain death, and create guidelines to help further the unification of hospital policies regarding brain death. With enough information about the medical as well as public perspective, we can help influence the creation of a new standard, while educating the public about this issue.