Co-designing body donor program consent processes

Co-designing body donor program consent processes
Georgina C. Stephens
Anatomical Sciences Education, July 2024
Abstract
Objective
It is widely accepted that body donation programs should obtain informed consent from prospective donors during life. However, consent forms vary in detail, are typically developed by anatomical and legal experts, and may not include features valued by prospective donors. Concomitantly, anatomy students report concerns that prospective donors are not adequately informed about dissection procedures. To address these issues, this study aimed to bring together prospective body donors, anatomy students, anatomy educators, and a governance expert to co- design a donor-centered consent process.
Methods
Utilizing participatory co- design, focus group discussions were used to explore participants’ perspectives on informed donor consent. The facilitator worked with participants to identify priorities for inclusion in donor consent processes. Framework analysis is being used to analyze data, and priorities identified in each group will inform the development of a draft donor consent process, on which further participant feedback will be sought.
Results
Forty-one people expressed interest in study participation. Two focus groups (n = 11 participants) have been held, wherein prospective body donors emphasized their desire for their bodies to contribute to anatomical education, including dissection and representation in educational resources. Group members agreed consent forms should explicitly detail how donor bodies are utilized for learning and include personalized elements such as naming preferences. Further focus groups are planned for September and October 2023.
Conclusion
This ongoing study is expected to yield recommendations for community involvement in developing body donor program consent processes, and how community participation can enhance educational activities, such as preparing students for dissection.