Mapping trust relationships in organ donation and transplantation: a conceptual model Martínez López, María Victoria Rodríguez Arias Vailhen, David Suárez Muñoz, Jorge Delgado Rodríguez, Janet Molina Pérez, Alberto Trust Organ donation Organ transplantation Conceptual model Trust networks Clinical relationship “Research in Ethics of Organ Donation and Transplantation” (INEDyTO) [MINECO FFI201 88913-P]. Open Access funding provided thanks to the CRUE-CSIC agreement with Springer Nature. This research has been conducted as part of the following projects: “Research in Ethics of Organ Donation and Transplantation” (INEDyTO) [MINECO FFI201 88913-P]; “Epistemological and bioethical analysis of the criteria for determining death” (ABCDm) MICINN: PID2020-119717GA-I00]; “Moral science and institutional design lab” (MSIDLab) [PID2020-119791RAI00]. The organ donation and transplantation (ODT) system heavily relies on the willingness of individuals to donate their organs. While it is widely believed that public trust plays a crucial role in shaping donation rates, the empirical support for this assumption remains limited. In order to bridge this knowledge gap, this article takes a foundational approach by elucidating the concept of trust within the context of ODT. By examining the stakeholders involved, identifying influential factors, and mapping the intricate trust relationships among trustors, trustees, and objects of trust, we aim to provide a comprehensive understanding of trust dynamics in ODT. We employ maps and graphs to illustrate the functioning of these trust relationships, enabling a visual representation of the complex interactions within the ODT system. Through this conceptual groundwork, we pave the way for future empirical research to investigate the link between trust and organ donation rates, informed by a clarified understanding of trust in ODT. This study can also provide valuable insights to inform interventions and policies aimed at enhancing organ donation rates. 2023-11-15T09:56:36Z 2023-11-15T09:56:36Z 2023-11-01 journal article Martínez-López, M.V., McLaughlin, L., Molina-Pérez, A. et al. Mapping trust relationships in organ donation and transplantation: a conceptual model. BMC Med Ethics 24, 93 (2023). [https://doi.org/10.1186/s12910-023-00965-2] https://hdl.handle.net/10481/85673 10.1186/s12910-023-00965-2 eng http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ open access Atribución 4.0 Internacional Springer Nature