Design and evaluation of a workplace intervention to promote organ donation.
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.


OBJECTIVE
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.
Quinn
Michael T
MT
University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois, USA.
Alexander
G Caleb
GC
Hollingsworth
Diane
D
O'Connor
Kate Grubbs
KG
Meltzer
David
D
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001294:Attitude to Health; D002641:Chicago; D003142:Communication; D004282:Documentation; D034742:Electronic Mail; D005190:Family / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006266:Health Education / Q000458:organization & administration*; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D033182:Intention; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D017145:Models, Educational; D008960:Models, Psychological; D009786:Occupational Health Services / Q000458:organization & administration*; D010506:Periodicals as Topic; D016730:Program Development; D015397:Program Evaluation; D011588:Psychology, Educational; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013664:Teaching Materials; D009927:Tissue and Organ Procurement / Q000458:organization & administration*; D017132:Workplace / Q000458:organization & administration*