ETPOD dissemination: the transferability of a successful European training program

Gloria Paez¹, Marti Manyalich^1,2, Xavier Guasch³, Ricard Valero^1,2, Melania G. Istrate¹

¹TPM-DTI Foundation, Barcelona, Spain, ²Hospital Clínic de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain, ³Hospital de la Plana, Villarreal, Spain

Background: The European Training Program on Organ Donation (ETPOD) is a successful educational initiative  addressing 3 different professional levels in organ donation that achieved a significant improvement in both numbers of utilized donors and organs recovered [1]. One training program developed is "Training for Trainers" that aims at providing key donation professionals with the skills required to replicate the "Essentials in Organ Donation Training seminars" (EOD).

Objectives: The aim of this study is to ensure the continuity and transferability of the ETPOD training program, disseminate the educational tools created and analyze dissemination impact.

Methods: A dissemination strategy was developed to ensure ETPOD continuity and transferability. Due to its successful outcomes, ETPOD participants were encouraged to continue the implementation of EODs.

Moreover, participants from 22 countries, belonging to the European Transplant Network (ETN) and the Mediterranean Transplant Network (MTN), benefitted from Training for Trainers Programs and implemented EODs.

The impact of ETPOD results reached non-participating countries and due to its feasibility, new organizations expressed their interest to implement the training program in their countries.

A database was created (http://www.etpod-dissemination.eu) to follow up the EODs carried out.

Results: Since 2009 when ETPOD finished, a total of 172 EOD seminars have been carried out and 8477 healthcare professionals trained as following: 71 EODs and 4223 professionals trained by ETPOD participants, 98 EODs and 4195 professionals trained in the ETN and MTN countries, 3 EODs and 59 professionals trained by Life's Donor, São Paulo, Brazil.

Conclusions: ETPOD, a successful training that produced significant improvements in organ donation, has been continued reaching  out a high number of professionals worldwide.