Cornea donation: evaluation of a training session to obtain consent by telephone.
BACKGROUND
Obtaining consent from relatives is essential for cornea donation. When a face-to-face interview is not possible, telephone contact is used to obtain donation consent. We tried to evaluate the role of experience on the acceptance rate using this method.


METHODS
This was a prospective study conducted over a 22-month period. Two nonmedical coordinators were evaluated. Telephone contact was conducted using a standardized procedure. We recorded for each coordinator the number of telephone contacts and the acceptance rate.


RESULTS
Among 455 families contacted, the mean acceptance rate was 60%. Initial acceptance rate was below 30% for both coordinators, showing dramatic improvement with experience (acceptance rate >70% after 100 contacts).


CONCLUSIONS
Telephone contact is an efficient method to obtain cornea donation consent. However, as with other new methods, a training period is necessary to increase effectiveness.
Geissler
A
A
Service des Urgences, Assistance publique hopitaux de Marseille, Marseille, France. pgerbeaux@ap-hm.fr
Gerbeaux
P R
PR
Maitrejean
C
C
Durand-Gasselin
J
J
D001294:Attitude to Health; D016039:Corneal Transplantation / Q000941:ethics*; D006801:Humans; D007258:Informed Consent; D013689:Telephone; D014019:Tissue Donors