Exploring educational and training approaches for organ and tissue donation coordinators: A scoping review

Abstract

Introduction

Organ and tissue donation coordinators often have limited training leading to reduced service quality and increased work-related stress. Understanding the existing educational strategies and training methods is crucial for supporting their professional development.

Objectives

To synthesize existing literature on strategies used to educate healthcare professionals for the role of organ and tissue donation coordinators.

Design

Scoping review guided by the Joanna Briggs Institute methodology.

Data sources

Searches were conducted in Medline, Embase, Cumulated Index in Nursing and Allied Health Literature, Web of Science, Cochrane Library, and Latin American and the Caribbean Literature on Health Sciences up to 2023.

Study selection

Reports on education for healthcare providers working as organ and tissue donation coordinators were included. Reviewers independently screened documents for eligibility based on inclusion criteria.

Data extraction

Data on study design, sample, educational strategies, and outcomes were extracted using a specially developed tool. The data were analyzed quantitatively (simple numeric count) and qualitatively (content analysis).

Results

From 5420 articles, 33 met the inclusion criteria. The results were categorized into (1) Education Types and Engagement, (2) Education Strategy Development and Delivery, and (3) Education Evaluation Methods and Outcomes.

Conclusion

The findings highlight the diverse types, delivery methods, and evaluation approaches in organ and tissue donation coordinators' educational training. Ongoing education is vital to equip organ and tissue donation coordinators with essential skills for complex scenarios in organ donation and transplantation. Investing in comprehensive education programs is crucial for enhancing organ and tissue donation coordinators' work-related wellbeing, improving organ donation and transplantation outcomes, and promoting continued research and development tailored to their unique needs.