One OPO’s experience using online role-play tool to increase donation professionals’ skill and confidence level in leading family conversations for organ donation.

Theresa A. Daly¹, Robert Norden¹, Patricia Mulvania², Howard Nathan¹

¹Gift of Life Institute, Philadelphia, PA, United States, ²Gift of Life Donor Program, Philadelphia, PA, United States

Background Int’l training institute uses medical school online role-play tool to augment donation professionals (DP) family donation conversation (FDC) training, provide focused feedback and improve skill and confidence. Training institute offered tool to OPO to do same with its DPs and assess for ongoing use.

Aim Increase skill and confidence levels of DPs leading FDCs as research indicates improved DP confidence in leading FDCs is associated w/higher authorization rates.[1]

Materials and Methods Tool offered opportunity for interactive skills practice and to assess, coach and improve staff judgment and communications skills. OPO leadership trialed use of tool to augment workshop training and increase skill and confidence through one-on-one remediation.  

Results Initial feedback from coaches, leadership and DPs was positive and indicated improved skill and confidence levels. When DPs were asked about impact on confidence levels  leading FDCs AFTER using tool, 80% said Very Good-Good; 80% reported Extremely to Very Satisfied when asked to rate his/her experience using the tool; and 80% reported the feedback received from the coach was Extremely to Very Valuable. The OPO determined tool important enough to integrate into existing formal training program. Tool will be used for orientation sign off, annual training, improvement plan and staff requested practice. It is too early to measure impact on long term authorization rates.

Conclusion Research indicates that higher confidence levels leading a FDC correlate to higher authorization rates. Confidence comes from experience and practice. OPOs are challenged to provide adequate one-on-one training opportunities to strengthen skill and build confidence. [1] Based on a survey of initial use of the online role-play tool, confidence levels in leading family donation conversations increased and the OPO is formally integrating this tool into its training with expectation that it will contribute to long term increased skill and authorization rates.