237.3: An e-Learning Training Program for Communicating Effectively About Vascularized Composite Allotransplantation With Donor Families

Background: Vascularized Composite Allografts (VCA) were added under the definition of organs in the OPTN Final Rule in 2014. However, surrogate decision makers have sole authority to authorize VCA donation. Nonetheless, donor professionals (DPs) have limited experience discussing VCA donation with patient families and many report being unprepared and uncomfortable. Building on over 25 years of evidence-based research, the Communicating Effectively about Donation for Vascularized Composite Allotransplantation (CEaD-VCA), was developed as an e-Learning training program to enhance the quality of donor professionals’ communications for VCA donation authorization. Methods: In partnership with the Gift of Life Institute, the original CEaD program was adapted with the input of OPO professionals. A Learning Management System (LMS) was used to manage participants’ progression through multiple learning modules created as part of the new CEaD-VCA training. CEaD-VCA was evaluated using a nonrandomized per-post design. DPs who obtain family authorization for solid organ donation were recruited from two regional Organ Procurement Organizations and completed an online survey with items assessing their knowledge, preparedness, and confidence for VCA donation discussions. Pre- and post-training responses were compared using paired sample t-tests. Results: The sample included 42 DPs from 2 OPOs. The majority (71.4%) had at least three years of work experience, but over half (52.4%) had no experience discussing VCA donation with families. Post-training, there were significant increases in mean knowledge scores about VCA (6.4 pre to 7.0 post, p< 0.01) and self-reported preparedness holding family discussions about VCA donation (6.6 pre to 7.9 post, p<0.0001). Significant increases in mean confidence scores for discussing the opportunity to donate face (6.2 pre to 7.9 post, p<0.0001) and hand (6.2 pre to 8.0 post, p<0.0001) grafts were also observed. Conclusion: The CEaD-VCA training was effective in increasing DPs’ knowledge, preparation, and confidence when discussing VCA donation. CEaD-VCA is an interactive and easily implementable e-Learning program and holds potential for improving donor professional communication during VCA donation discussions. U.S. Department of Defense, Grant/Award Number: W81XWH-18-1-0679 and W81XWH-18-1-0680.