Design and evaluation of a workplace intervention to promote organ donation

Prog Transplant. 2006 Sep;16(3):253-9. doi: 10.1177/152692480601600312.

Abstract

Background: A number of efforts have been made to improve rates of deceased organ donation. However, few have been specifically designed for implementation in the workplace.

Objectives: To design and evaluate a workplace intervention to increase documentation of intention to be posthumous organ donors, communication of donation intention to families, and family members' documentation of their donation intentions.

Methods: The study was a randomized controlled trial of corporate employees. Within each corporation, worksites were randomized to a control condition or 1 of 2 educational interventions. Measures included baseline and 1-month postintervention measures of stage of organ donation intention, stage of family notification, and family members' organ donation intention.

Results: Across 12 corporations, 40 worksites with a total of 754 participants were randomized. At 1-month follow-up, 495 participants (66%) completed a posttreatment questionnaire. The percentage of participants who signed organ donor cards increased in the 2 intervention groups (29%, P < .001, and 31%, P < .002) but not in the control group (17%, P = .454). The percentage who discussed their donation intentions with family members increased significantly across all 3 arms (39%-47%, P < .001). The mean percentage of participants' family members who signed organ donor cards increased by 14% in the control group (P = .016) and by 17% in the 2 intervention groups (P < .001).

Conclusions: Educational interventions in the corporate workplace setting can be effective in increasing organ donation intention, family notification, and recruitment of family members as potential organ donors.

Publication types

  • Randomized Controlled Trial
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Attitude to Health*
  • Chicago
  • Communication
  • Documentation
  • Electronic Mail
  • Family / psychology
  • Female
  • Follow-Up Studies
  • Health Education / organization & administration*
  • Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice
  • Humans
  • Intention
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Models, Educational
  • Models, Psychological
  • Occupational Health Services / organization & administration*
  • Periodicals as Topic
  • Program Development
  • Program Evaluation
  • Psychology, Educational
  • Surveys and Questionnaires
  • Teaching Materials
  • Tissue and Organ Procurement / organization & administration*
  • Workplace / organization & administration*