Supported Research

Lay Summary
Background: To optimize organ donation and transplantation the nature and impact of complex organizational characteristics, such as inter-professional roles and relationships, and hospital organizational structure processes, need to be understood. We know that performance indicators vary among hospitals in the same province in which there are common program structures and support. Therefore, the overall aim of this research is to understand and measure the nature and impact of relationships within the organizational context of organ donation programs in Ontario.

Methods: We will systematically investigate the interactions of the health professional network in relation to the organ donation processes and the influence of these interactions on outcomes of organ donation programs in Ontario using a social network analysis approach. We will also explore the influence of organizational attributes and processes of organ donation programs, and individual collaboration on organ donation performance among Ontario hospitals through a multiple case-study approach. Finally, we will compare the similarities and differences of the influence of social networks and organizational attributes on the performance of organ donation programs among Ontario hospitals. Our study will include at least five trauma centre hospitals partners of the Ontario’s Organ Procurement Organization.

Expected outcomes: This research will provide novel findings regarding enabling organizational attributes and processes relevant to organ donation programs. We will also determine the utility of applying a detailed organizational evaluation approach to this complex process. Aligned with The Kidney Foundation of Canada's mission, our findings will inform the development of an organizational intervention, designed to optimize the organ donation process and outcomes in order to enhance organ availability for transplants and quality in organ donation processes that will consequently reduce the organ transplant waiting lists, beneficiating people at risk of or affected by kidney diseases or any other chronic condition that lead to organ failure.