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Evaluating the Implementation of Ontario's Organ and Tissue Donation Physician Leadership Model: Mapping a Way
Aimee Sarti1, Stephanie Sutherland1, Angele Landriault2
1Department of Critical Care, Ottawa Hospital, Ottawa, ON, Canada.
Background:
The demand for solid organ transplantation has spurred countries around the world to search for innovative policies and practices to increase the supply of organs. Spain has become a global reference point for organ donation with the highest transplantation rates. In Ontario, Canada the Ontario Trillium Gift of Life (TGLN) has sought to replicate some of the successes in Spain. In particular, TGLN's implementation of the Physician Leadership Model has been viewed as a promising strategy to improve donation conversion rates.
Objective:
The objective of this study was to evaluate the implementation of TGLNs (TGLN) Physician Leadership Model by examining critical implementation process variables (education/training, communication, satisfaction, participation and reach).
Methods:
This mixed-method implementation evaluation included data from all members of the Physician Leadership Model including the Chief Medical Officer, five Regional Medical Leads (RMLs), and the 52 Hospital Donation Physicians (HDPs). Social Network Analysis (SNA) surveys were sent to all 52 HDPs and yielded an 85% rate. Analysis included constructing sociograms and qualitatively analyzing interviews.
Results:
TGLN's PLM was poised for success by utilizing the existing RMLs' network as a foundation. The social network analysis measures, particularly participation and reach, indicated the PLM was quite dense (ie, the degree to which members are connected) at baseline. HDPs reported communication to be facilitated by their connections to their RMLs. Early evaluative data indicated that lack of education and training was viewed by HDPs as a barrier, and thus more capacity would need to be directed to this issue. Overall, HDPs reported that various intended outcomes were being met.
Conclusion:
We have demonstrated that an implementation evaluation helps us to understand which elements of the PLM were successful and which elements required immediate attention. This evaluation helped to highlight the successes and challenges in implementing the TGLN Physician Leadership Model in Ontario. Social network analysis of publicly funded capacity building systems has been identified as a promising area for health program evaluation to answer questions at a system level, such as identifying service provisions among information exchange networks and ultimately better health care.
Insights
The Physician Leadership Model in Ontario improved organ donation rates by enhancing communication and network density. Addressing education gaps is key for future success in organ donation initiatives.
Area of Science:
- Transplantation Science
- Health Services Research
- Public Health Policy
Background:
- Global demand for organ transplantation necessitates innovative strategies to increase organ supply.
- Spain leads in transplantation rates, serving as a model for other countries.
- Ontario's Trillium Gift of Life (TGLN) implemented a Physician Leadership Model to boost donation rates.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the implementation of TGLN's Physician Leadership Model.
- Assessed critical variables: education, training, communication, satisfaction, participation, and reach.
- Examined the model's effectiveness in improving organ donation conversion rates.
Main Methods:
- Mixed-method evaluation of the Physician Leadership Model.
- Included Chief Medical Officer, Regional Medical Leads (RMLs), and Hospital Donation Physicians (HDPs).
- Utilized Social Network Analysis (SNA) surveys (85% response rate) and qualitative interviews.
Main Results:
- The Physician Leadership Model leveraged existing RML networks, showing high baseline participation and reach.
- HDPs found communication facilitated by connections to RMLs.
- Lack of education/training identified as a barrier, requiring more focus.
- HDPs reported that intended outcomes were largely being met.
Conclusions:
- Implementation evaluation identified successful elements and areas needing attention in the TGLN Physician Leadership Model.
- Highlighted successes and challenges in implementing the model in Ontario.
- Social network analysis is a valuable tool for evaluating health systems and improving healthcare delivery.
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