TPM: High Quality International Training Program in Organ and Tissue Donation

Abstract

Background: Knowledge transfer and development of professional competences in organ donation are key factors to maximize donor potentiality and conversion rates. Launched in 1991 under the auspice of the Universitat de Barcelona (UB) and with the support of the Organización Nacional de Trasplantes (ONT), Transplant Procurement Management (TPM) acquired soon an international dimension, due to the increasing demand in deceased donation programs. Methods: TPM applies the “Learning by doing” proactive training (D. Kolb) proved to increase the knowledge retention rate up to 75%. It uses face-to face, on-line and blended learning modalities and covers all the main scientific and technical aspects of organ and tissue donation. It counts with a wide network of international experts and the academic endorsement of the University of Barcelona, offering specialization certification, post-graduate diplomas and master degrees. It organizes yearly advanced courses in Spanish, English, Italian, French and Portuguese and when required, courses are adapted to local educational needs, language, legislation and current medical practice. TPM has designed and constantly updated its course contents developing a wide range of educational material such as: manuals, software and technical equipment for practical sessions. Results: TPM organized 184 face-to-face training courses (93 advanced, 32 intermediate and 59 introductory) and 40 on-line and/or blended learning editions as following: 8 Donor Detection System, 8 Brain Death Diagnosis, 6 Family Approach for Organ Donation, 3 Donor Management and Organ Viability, 3 Organ Retrieval, Preservation and Allocation Criteria, 9 Tissue Banking, 2 Training for Trainers and 1 Professional Training in Organ Donation. It has also organized 8 master editions. Out of the total of 8929 participants from 102 countries, 7876 attended the face to face courses and 1053 the on-line/blended training. Moreover, TPM encouraged the Training for Trainers participants to maximize the opportunity to disseminate knowledge in organ donation by carrying out Essentials on Organ Donation seminars. As a result, 91 seminars have been carried out and 5088 healthcare professionals trained from 11 different countries from Europe and Asia. Conclusions: Although multifactor approaches are needed to tackle organ donation, training of professionals is highlighted as a major factor in improving the number and quality of organs and tissues for transplantation. TPM provides demand-driven, high quality training that facilitates the transfer of knowledge and the development of professional competences as well as excellent framework for worldwide networks of donation professionals.