Online peer to peer support network for deceased organ donor family’s
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Evaluating the impact of an online peer to peer support network for deceased organ donor family and friends\n
IRAS ID
277370
Contact name
Angela Ditchfield
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University of Salford
Duration of Study in the UK
1 years, 1 months, days
Research summary
NHS Blood and Transplant (NHSBT) service, particularly the Specialist Organ Donor service has for many years recognized the need to better understand the lived experiences of families who consent to organ donation at the time of their loved one’s death. Acknowledging the impact organ donation has on donor families, organisations like NHSBT can work towards improving aftercare support services. Increasing knowledge on how relatives of deceased organ donors heal from their loss and having a greater understanding about grief and needs of families following organ donation, will help towards improving the experiences for future donor families.\n\nThe primary aim of this study is to investigate the impact of the first UK online peer-to-peer support group to offer families and friends of deceased organ donors a platform to discuss their experiences and support each other through bereavement. The developmental, qualitative study will progress in two distinct phases:\n\nPhase 1: Development of online social media network.\nThe study team will create, manage and moderate an online secret Facebook group for donor families/friends to communicate, share lived experiences and access informational and peer support. The platform will allow organ donor families across United Kingdom (UK) to connect regardless of their geographical location.\n\nPhase 2: Evaluation of the social media strategies, using a mixed methods approach to generate evidence of the impact on organ donor families and a deeper understanding of the lived experiences of organ donation.\nThe methods will include scraping (downloading) and analysis of the Facebook group conversation data, Facebook polls (mini survey), analysis of blogs, one to one interviews and exit polls (mini survey).\n
REC name
Wales REC 3
REC reference
20/WA/0196
Date of REC Opinion
17 Aug 2020
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion