Introduction: Currently, 67,000 Americans are on the national waiting list to receive an organ. The need for organ donations has been increasing by about 15% per year. On the other hand, organ donation rates have remained stable. In response to this situation, an educational program was developed that serves as a model to educate communities, physicians, and medical students about how to increase organ donations for their communities.
Methods: Demographic profiles of potential organ donors in each county of Georgia were produced. Using this data, "Organ Donation Community Profile" brochures that personalize organ donation statistics for 16 Georgia regions were developed and distributed. Organ donation awareness was tested before and after brochure distribution. This brochure, along with a general organ donation brochure that stresses preventative care, was provided to 100 Georgia physicians in organ donation training workshops. The number of physicians who implemented our program were tracked by completing an ABC'S checklist as they discussed end of life issues and preventative care with patients. (A represents advanced directives, including organ donation issues, B and C represent blood pressure and cancer and cholesterol screening, while S represents shots for immunization.)
Results: Organ donation awareness increased 50% after distribution of the community brochures. In addition, 70 physicians implemented the ABC'S program, thereby discussing organ donation with over 1,000 patients.
Conclusion: The educational program serves as a way to increase organ donation awareness by personalizing the issue. Also, focusing on preventative strategies helps to reduce the number of patients who may require an organ transplant.
Learning Objectives: At the conclusion of this presentation, participants in this session will be able to: 1. Discuss the disparity between the demand and supply of organ donors. 2. Understand the educational model for increasing organ donation rates. 3. Identify preventative strategies which reduce the need for individuals requiring an organ donation. 4. Understand the importance and use of developing local organ donation demographic profiles
Keywords: Community Education, Training
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: None
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.