HD HAPPENINGS: “Determination of Brain Death and Family Communication Physicians Training Program”

OPOs are acutely aware and understand the sensitivity to the intersection of determining brain death and organ donation. One follows the other, and they are, by careful design, distinct entities. Additionally, all OPOs have experienced sensitive conversations that can occur between OPO professionals and physicians who may not perform this crucial task on a routine basis.

FIRST OF ITS KIND TRAINING

As reported in Determination of Brain Death/Death by Neurologic Criteria: The World Brain Death Project (2020, American Medical Association), “…there are inconsistencies in concept, criteria, practice, and documentation of brain death/death by neurologic criteria (BD/DNC) both internally and within countries.” This ground-breaking study went on to provide recommendations for the minimum clinical standards for determination of brain death/death by neurologic criteria in adults and children with clear guidance for various clinical circumstances.  

In accordance with these recommendations, Gift of Life Institute, an international training center for donation professionals, is proud to introduce the “Determination of Brain Death and Family Communication for Physicians” training program, a unique, immersive learning experience that combines eLearning and Virtual Reality.

Program Highlights:

  • Geared to physicians
  • Self-paced | 24/7 access
  • eLearning and an immersive VIRTUAL REALITY (VR) component (no headset required – accessible via mobile app)
  • 1.5 Category 1 CMEs

Training Overview: Utilizing a scenario-based format, a virtual physician (avatar) narrates and guides this learning experience. The scenario begins with the patient’s admission and moves on to the physician giving the family news of brain death, followed by a simple introduction to the donation professional. The virtual physician engages the participant through a variety of interactive tasks, each designed to apply knowledge and practice critical skills. Through branching technology and a “Conversation Effectiveness Meter,” learners receive immediate feedback as they select choices for all phases of communicating with the family. Post-training, learners may access this resource for one year.


Accessible via iOS, android phones and iPads, OPOs can strategically deploy this training to strengthen relationships with residents, fellows, and attendings who perform brain death exams.

The Critical Intersection of Brain Death and Donation: OPOs are acutely aware and understand the sensitivity to the intersection of determining brain death and organ donation. One follows the other, and they are, by careful design, distinct entities. Additionally, all OPOs have experienced sensitive conversations that can occur between OPO professionals and physicians who may not perform this crucial task on a routine basis.

The “Determination of Brain Death and Family Communication Physician Training Program” is specifically designed to:

  • Increase practitioner confidence and effectiveness in preparing families for news of brain death
  • Increase practitioner confidence and comfort level in performing a brain death examination per national guidelines
  • Serve as a just-in-time resource for practitioners who perform brain death exams

Developed in collaboration with experts in the field to assure accuracy and relevance, including physicians from The Perelman School of Medicine (University of Pennsylvania) and The Department of Anesthesiology and Critical Care (Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia), the “Determination of Brain Death and Family Communication for Physicians” training program reinforces best practice as identified in:

  • Current national guidelines for determining pediatric & adult brain death by neurologic criteria
  • Determination of Brain Death/Death by Neurologic Criteria: The World Brain Death Project
  • Neurocritical Care Society (NCS) Brain Death training

ACCME Accreditation Statement: This activity has been planned and implemented in accordance with the accreditation requirements and policies of the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) through the joint providership of Infinite Legacy and Gift of Life Donor Program – Gift of Life Institute. Infinite Legacy is accredited by the ACCME to provide continuing medical education for physicians.

Credit Designation Statement: Infinite Legacy designates this enduring material for a maximum of 1.5 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit(s)™. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

Disclosure – No Relevant Financial Relationships Statement: None of the planners for this educational activity have relevant financial relationship(s)* to disclose with ineligible companies whose primary business is producing, marketing, selling, re-selling, or distributing healthcare products used by or on patients.

*Relevant financial relationship(s) are defined as relevant if the following three conditions are met for the individual who will control content of the education: a financial relationship in any amount, exists between the person in control of content and an ineligible company; the financial relationship existed during the past 24 months; the content of the education is related to the products of an ineligible company with whom the person has a financial relationship.

For more information contact:

Theresa A. Daly TDaly@giftoflifeinstitute.org


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