Introduction: We developed an organ donation coordinator (ODC) training program, on behalf of the Dutch Federation of University Hospitals (NFU) and the Dutch Professional Association for organ donation coordinators (ODC-NL). The goal was to develop a national training for new ODC's that ensures competence, expertise and uniform parctices.
Method: A Project group and a Focus group were established to develop the course. We used various experts: ODC's, educationalists, donation intensivists, transplant physicians, a legal advisor and the Dutch Transplant Foundation.
The Project group determined the final objectives at first. The necessary skills, knowledge resources and Can Meds competencies to reach the objectives, were established. Subsequently, the training structure was developed and the required training products were determined. The learning objectives were described after which the project group members the various training products developed in close cooperation with experts. At last the evaluation and assessment tools were created.With these tools the evolution of the development and uniform assessment of the trainee can be tracked during the course. The Focus group participated and provided advice. Finally, all products were placed in an online learning management system (LMS).
Results: The training has a fixed structure: The trainee follows the training from Phase 0 (introduction) through Phase 1 (ICU phase), Phase 2 (family guidance) to Phase 3 (OR phase). The training products are available within the LMS in various forms: texts, recorded presentations, films, photos, animations, e-learnings and scientific articles.
To monitor the progress; regular evaluation moments, theoretical and behavioral attitude tests, as well as proofs of competence are included. After the successful completion of the training, the new ODC receives a certificate.
The first new ODC's started the training in January 2025 and completed the training in May 2025.
Conclusion: With the development of this training for new ODC's in the Netherlands, we realized further professionalization and uniformization of the ODC.
As the Project group, we are proud to share this new developed training for ODC's in the Netherlands. We will evaluate the experiences of the trainees and their supervisors in order to make further improvements.