Using agent-based social simulations to inform organ donation policymaking : adopting the Spanish approach in Sweden

Abstract

Organ donation is a crucial aspect of healthcare, yet, the number of donors is insufficient to cover the demand for transplant procedures. In the European Union, around 15 people die each day waiting for a life-saving organ. National policies differ greatly among countries, but it is unclear how successful policies affect Deceased Organ Donation when introduced in other settings. This paper explores the use of Agent-Based Social Simulation (ABSS) to inform organ donation policymaking. It provides policy actors with a safe environment to investigate the consequences of different policy interventions without the risk of harming people. We present a simulation model of the Swedish organ donation system, where we can investigate the impact of Spain's policy approach, which has the highest DOD rates in Europe. The results highlight the potential of ABSS as a tool for evaluating policy interventions in complex healthcare systems, enabling policymakers to identify and evaluate strategies before implementation.</p