Abstract
Introduction: To increase and improve donor management and optimisation (DMO) within the United Kingdom, a new education package was developed by NHS Blood and Transplant (NHSBT) and was delivered to all Specialist Nurses – Organ Donation (SNODs) in the United Kingdom who had been in post for a minimum of 12 months. This course was named Donor Management and Optimisation: Assessment and Management and was mandatory for all SNODs. The aim of this course was to build upon Specialist Nurses’ existing knowledge and skills of donor management, ensuring the education that the workforce receives is standardised and consistent.
Method: Professional Development Specialists (PDS) reviewed current education on DMO. It was identified that a new course was required to build upon SNODs existing knowledge and experience within DMO. The course comprised of three elements:
A range of mini modules on a variety of pertinent topics within DMO, held within a bespoke Resource Site. These included webinars, literature reviews and libraries of academic articles.
A high-fidelity simulation session consisting of common DMO problems within 3 scenarios.
A summative assessment, comprising of multiple choice and short answer questions, alongside a reflective analysis.
To understand self-reported confidence levels, perception of knowledge and skills, and the impact of the education provided, an anonymous pre and post course questionnaire was distributed to all SNODs who undertook the Course.
Results: Analysis was undertaken as part of a service evaluation project. Interim results show that 88 participants completed a pre course questionnaire, with 59 participants also completing a post course questionnaire. Analysis of the data was carried out using paired samples t-test with the independent variable being the participant. The dependent/outcome variables were confidence in respiratory, blood pressure, fluids, arrhythmia, diabetes insipidus (DI) and paediatric management. The paired samples t-test showed a statistically significant increase in the participant’s confidence in all domains from pre-test to post-test. The greatest increase was in their confidence in the management of paediatrics. Full results are expected to be available Summer 2023.
Conclusion: The interim results show that the course has led to an increase in knowledge, self-reported confidence levels and feelings of empowerment within the SNOD workforce in the United Kingdom. Post course, SNODs have reported being more inclined to challenge, negotiate and influence DMO practice with the multi-disciplinary team. The course has highlighted the impact education can have on clinical practice and has proven the need for further education within this speciality. The ultimate aim of this course is to increase organs donated per donor (OPD) within the UK. However, it must be acknowledged that OPD is influenced by a number of variables, making it challenging to quantify the impact made by education alone.
Health Education England for simulation funding.
Method: Professional Development Specialists (PDS) reviewed current education on DMO. It was identified that a new course was required to build upon SNODs existing knowledge and experience within DMO. The course comprised of three elements:
A range of mini modules on a variety of pertinent topics within DMO, held within a bespoke Resource Site. These included webinars, literature reviews and libraries of academic articles.
A high-fidelity simulation session consisting of common DMO problems within 3 scenarios.
A summative assessment, comprising of multiple choice and short answer questions, alongside a reflective analysis.
To understand self-reported confidence levels, perception of knowledge and skills, and the impact of the education provided, an anonymous pre and post course questionnaire was distributed to all SNODs who undertook the Course.
Results: Analysis was undertaken as part of a service evaluation project. Interim results show that 88 participants completed a pre course questionnaire, with 59 participants also completing a post course questionnaire. Analysis of the data was carried out using paired samples t-test with the independent variable being the participant. The dependent/outcome variables were confidence in respiratory, blood pressure, fluids, arrhythmia, diabetes insipidus (DI) and paediatric management. The paired samples t-test showed a statistically significant increase in the participant’s confidence in all domains from pre-test to post-test. The greatest increase was in their confidence in the management of paediatrics. Full results are expected to be available Summer 2023.
Conclusion: The interim results show that the course has led to an increase in knowledge, self-reported confidence levels and feelings of empowerment within the SNOD workforce in the United Kingdom. Post course, SNODs have reported being more inclined to challenge, negotiate and influence DMO practice with the multi-disciplinary team. The course has highlighted the impact education can have on clinical practice and has proven the need for further education within this speciality. The ultimate aim of this course is to increase organs donated per donor (OPD) within the UK. However, it must be acknowledged that OPD is influenced by a number of variables, making it challenging to quantify the impact made by education alone.
Health Education England for simulation funding.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 75-75 |
| Number of pages | 1 |
| Journal | Transplantation |
| Volume | 107 |
| Issue number | 10S1 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - 16 Oct 2023 |