Transformative Learning Among Organ Procurement Organization Donor Family Volunteers

• Published in: Progress in transplantation (Aliso Viejo, Calif.) Calif.), 2024-12, Vol.34 (4), p.170-175
• Main Authors: Henry, Nicholas R., Coryell, Joellen E.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adult; Family - psychology; Female; Humans; Interviews as Topic; Learning; Male; Middle Aged; Qualitative Research; Tissue and Organ Procurement; Tissue Donors - psychology; Volunteers - psychology
• ISSN: 1526-9248; 2164-6708; 2164-6708
• DOI: 10.1177/15269248241288558

Introduction: Some family members who previously made the decision to donate a family member's organs support the organ procurement organization (OPO) through volunteer work. Volunteers were asked to describe their family's organ donation story to educate the general and medical communities about organ donation. This study explored the transformative learning experienced by volunteers during and following the organ donation consent process and throughout their volunteer work. Methods/Approach: A narrative inquiry research methodology and transformative learning theoretical framework was used and 6 volunteers were recruited to participate. Two semistructured virtual interviews were conducted. Interviews were transcribed, radically reduced, and subjected to holistic-content and holistic-form narrative analysis. Findings: Participants experienced strong emotional responses during and after the loss of their family member, characterized as a period of disorientation, which lasted for an extended period preventing transformative learning. After the OPO contacted participants regarding the opportunity to volunteer, participants experienced a period of self-examination when they reengaged with the topic of organ donation. Critical reflection occurred through the act of storytelling about their family's organ donation story during their volunteer work. Storytelling to the community facilitated making meaning of their loss and transformations. Conclusion: Volunteering for an OPO played an important role by initiating self-examination and critical reflection of their prior assumptions. Through storytelling, participants reflected on their roles and made meaning of their organ donation experiences. The act of inviting donor families to reengage with the topic of organ donation through volunteer work fostered positive permanent meaningful transformations.