Evaluation of an Innovative Informed Consent Support Program for Individuals Considering a Living Kidney Donation

Area of Science:

• Transplantation Medicine
• Bioethics
• Psychology

Background:

• Informed consent is crucial for living kidney donation, respecting donor autonomy.
• Potential donors require support to make free and uncoerced decisions.
• Existing programs may not fully address the psychological and informational needs of donors.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the participant satisfaction with the "Les Compagnons de la Donation" (Donation Companions) program.
• To assess the program's influence on the informed consent process for living kidney donors.
• To determine if the program supports donors' decision-making autonomy.

Main Methods:

• A descriptive, non-experimental study design was employed.
• Thirty-nine potential living kidney donors participated in the intervention program.
• Participant perceptions of preparedness and decision confidence were measured pre- and post-intervention.

Main Results:

• Statistically significant improvements were observed in participants' perceptions across all evaluated items.
• The most marked improvements were in feeling informed and prepared, rather than solely convinced.
• Participant satisfaction with the program was overwhelmingly positive, with nearly all strongly agreeing it was satisfactory.

Conclusions:

• The Donation Companions program effectively meets the needs of potential living kidney donors.
• Structured support programs significantly enhance the informed consent process.
• The program appears to provide valuable assistance in the autonomous decision-making of living kidney donors.