The Alliance Gains Insights for 2023-2024 Learning Programs through Annual Community Survey

In an effort to enhance its offerings and align its mission with the needs of the community, The Organ Donation and Transplantation Alliance concluded its third annual ‘You Share, We Listen’ Community Survey. The survey, which aimed to gather insights for upcoming 2024 learning programs and the strategic planning process, engaged over 24,000 members of the donation and transplantation community.

“We believe that our community’s insights are invaluable in shaping the future direction of The Alliance,” said Karri Hobson-Pape, Alliance Executive Director. “The ‘You Share, We Listen’ survey empowers us to align our efforts with the aspirations and challenges faced by those working tirelessly to save and heal lives.”

Strategic Planning Process

The survey’s results contribute to an analysis of the organization’s strengths and opportunities, setting the stage for the annual strategic planning committee. By soliciting feedback from community members regarding the benefits and resources they value, along with emerging topics and innovations for potential new learning programs, The Alliance aims to refine its strategy and tailor its content to meet the evolving needs of the organ donation and transplantation community.

The survey outcomes serve as a critical foundation for the 2024 strategy mapping process. The results will also play a central role in designing the Advancement Learning Series and the Conversation Series, both of which will be instrumental in the forthcoming year’s educational initiatives.

“The Alliance is dedicated to creating a collaborative learning environment that is responsive and dynamic,” said Deanna Fenton, Senior Manager of Educational Program Development and Operations. “The survey feedback drives our decisions, ensuring that The Alliance’s programs remain relevant and impactful.”

Valued Benefits

Survey respondents across organizational types (transplant programs, OPOs and hospitals) rated emerging topics and trends and discussion about controversial topics as two of the most valuable benefits that The Alliance offers. Others included:

1. Emerging Topics & Trends
2. Discussions about Controversial Topics
3. Interdisciplinary Perspective
4. Community Collaboration and Networking
5. Balanced and Objective Perspective

Additional benefits rated highly, including sharing of effective practices and continuing education credits.

Valued Offerings and Programs

The Alliance offers a wide portfolio of programs and initiatives, from learning programs and collaborative events, professional development and curated resources. Respondents rated the On-Demand Webinars, the live Advancement Learning Series, the Community Resource Toolbox, the National Critical Issues Forum and the Conversation Series among the most valuable offerings from The Alliance.

1. National Critical Issues Forum
2. Live Conversation Series
3. Insight Series
4. Live Advancement Series
5. On-Demand Conversation Series

Other programs such as the On-Demand Advancement Series, Live & On-Demand DEIB Conversation Series, Mentorship Program, Foundational Perspectives of Organ Donation Course, Community Resource Toolbox, Job Board and OnboardingU: Orientation for Transplant Professionals received strong ratings, yet are niche programs that serve a smaller audience. For example, there have been over 700 participants in the mentorship program.

Valued Topics

Respondents rated particular areas of focus through The Alliance’s programs and indicated the ten topics that provide the greatest value to them are:

1. Normothermic Regional Perfusion (NRP)
2. Organ Preservation and Perfusion
3. Organs Recovered, Not Transplanted
4. Allocation
5. Hospital Education, Engagement and Partnership
6. QAPI / Survey Readiness, Data Metrics
7. Clinical Pathways to Donation (DCD, Brain Death)
8. Transportation and Logistics
9. Policy Review and Regulatory Changes
10. Donor Management

Other topics also rated highly, including pediatric donation and transplantation, administrative workflow and process management, increased risk donors/organs, diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging, authorization, family support and aftercare, infectious disease, pharmacology and nutrition, living donation and xenotransplantation.

Looking to the Future

The Alliance is set to unveil the topics for its 2024 Advancement Learning Series in November, followed by the announcement of topics for the Conversation Series by the end of the year. These announcements will provide a glimpse into the tailored educational content that the organization will provide in the coming months, enriching the knowledge and expertise of professionals within the donation and transplantation community.

Through the annual ‘You Share, We Listen’ Community Survey, The Alliance continues to demonstrate its unwavering commitment to collaboration, innovation, and the advancement of the field for the benefit of restoring lives through donation and transplantation.