[Evaluation of the need for communication training of ophthalmologists for gaining telephone consent for cornea donation].
BACKGROUND
Because of the gap between the high need for cornea tissue for transplantation and the current lower numbers of donors, there is high pressure to succeed in telephone calls to relatives of deceased for obtaining consent. Besides the attempt to increase the rate of donors, these telephone calls should be gentle for relatives and not overstrain professionals. This study assesses the need and expectations of physicians towards communication training in preparation for their task.


METHODS
In September-October 2009 a needs assessment for communication training among physicians who currently work or have worked for the eye bank took place. Personal data were recorded and their estimate of the perceived burden as well as needs and potential benefits from a specific communication training for obtaining consent for cornea donation by telephone were assessed using numeric rating scales between 1 (minimum) and 10 (maximum). Results were expressed as mean and range.


RESULTS
The participants felt only moderately prepared for the task regarding information content, their emotions and personal convictions. They considered a specific training to be highly meaningful, necessary and helpful. Their highest burden during telephone calls previously experienced was documented as 8.4 and the average burden as 6.3. Accordingly, their willingness to continue working at an eye bank after their rotation was moderate.


CONCLUSIONS
Physicians involved in obtaining consent for cornea donation by telephone feel highly stressed and only moderately prepared for fulfilling the task both for the information content and on the emotional level. Accordingly, specific communication training is perceived as highly meaningful, necessary and helpful. An educational program was developed to meet the needs and expectations of physicians.
Stiel
S
S
Klinik für Palliativmedizin, Universitätsklinikum, RWTH Aachen, Pauwelsstrasse 30, 52074, Aachen, Deutschland. sstiel@ukaachen.de
Salla
S
S
Steinfeld
A
A
Radbruch
L
L
Walter
P
P
Hermel
M
M
D016039:Corneal Transplantation / Q000523:psychology*; D005858:Germany; D006801:Humans; D007258:Informed Consent / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D007407:Interviews as Topic / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D020380:Needs Assessment / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D010819:Physician's Role / Q000523:psychology*; D010817:Physician-Patient Relations; D014019:Tissue Donors / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*