Simulated Donor Family Encounters at Organ Transplantation Coordinators In-service Training Course: Process and Impact Evaluation

Abstract

Objective. The study was aimed at introducing the modified version of the organ transplantation coordinator course including simulated donor family encounters (SDFEs), communication skills, and evaluating the participants' opinions, achievement levels, and how they implemented what they learned in the course in their work settings. Methods. The course was modified using the ADDIE (analysis, design, development, implementation, and evaluation) model and was evaluated in three steps: The participants' views were obtained using the course overall evaluation form and communication skills evaluation form, their success was assessed with the post-test and SDEEs evaluation form, and the effects of what they learned during the course on their work settings were assessed through phone interviews. At this step, the participants were asked to write letters about the targets they intended to achieve in their work settings. The letters were analyzed with the content analysis method, and a questionnaire consisting of 105 targets was developed. A year later the participants were telephoned and asked to what extent they achieved their targets. Results. The participants' satisfaction from the whole course was high (x: 8.65 +/- 1.06). In the communication skills evaluation form, the participants stated that they would mainly use their communication and empathy skills during donor family encounters. The participants' mean post-test score was high (x: 96.0 +/- 3.8). During the SDI,Es, 70% of the respondents' performance was considered sufficient. Telephone interviews conducted with the questionnaire revealed that 77.6% of the targets were fulfilled. Conclusion. It can be said that the course affected the participants in terms of implementing their knowledge and communication skills related to family encounters.