title: A multidisciplinary program to educate and advocate for living donors.
abstract: Education is critical in decision making and the informed consent process in prospective living donors. Little has been written about how and what living donors should be taught. This article describes a multidisciplinary program for living donor education at the University of Virginia. The goals of the program are to impart information needed for prospective donors to make an informed decision and to independently evaluate donors' medical and psychosocial suitability. A partnership between the transplant department and an independent donor advocacy team establishes an environment conducive to education. By embracing independence, transparency, partnership, and advocacy, our program permits bidirectional education. This partnership facilitates unbiased understanding and appreciation of this education and considers each individual's unique circumstances when making informed decisions. Likewise, prospective donors educate the team about their circumstances, which helps the team safeguard the prospective donor and may enhance the safety of prospective donors and the perceived integrity of living organ donation.
authors.affiliation: Charles O. Strickler Transplant Center, University of Virginia Health System, Box 800265, Charlottesville, VA 22908, USA. ank5a@virginia.edu
authors.forename: Anita K
authors.initials: AK
authors.lastname: Sites
authors.forename: Jason R
authors.initials: JR
authors.lastname: Freeman
authors.forename: Michael R
authors.initials: MR
authors.lastname: Harper
authors.forename: David B
authors.initials: DB
authors.lastname: Waters
authors.forename: Timothy L
authors.initials: TL
authors.lastname: Pruett
mesh_terms: D003142:Communication; D003299:Cooperative Behavior; D003479:Curriculum; D003657:Decision Making; D046148:Donor Selection / Q000458:organization & administration*; D006801:Humans; D007258:Informed Consent; D019520:Living Donors / Q000193:education* / Q000523:psychology / Q000600:supply & distribution; D008487:Medical History Taking; D017146:Models, Organizational; D009042:Motivation; D020380:Needs Assessment; D010344:Patient Advocacy / Q000193:education* / Q000523:psychology; D010348:Patient Care Team / Q000458:organization & administration*; D010353:Patient Education as Topic / Q000458:organization & administration*; D010686:Philosophy, Medical; D011300:Preoperative Care; D011586:Psychology, Clinical; D017751:Safety Management / Q000458:organization & administration; D012947:Social Work; D014342:Truth Disclosure; D014768:Virginia