Doctors emphasize that the act of organ donation is particularly sensitive, and the grief over the loss of a loved one is eased by the knowledge that his death is meaningful by extending the lives of other people. The endless circle of life goes on.
Sees positive signs
According to doctors, it is possible that organ donation will become more common in district hospitals. Expecting this makes it possible to implement changes.
This summer, 3 Regional Coordination Centers for donation services were established in Lithuania. One of them – combining the regions of Vilnius and Panevėžys – started operating in VUL Santaras clinics.
“Coordinators can fill that part of the system that has not been there so far and help doctors identify potential donors and supervise them. There are many specific clinical tasks that doctors do not have that much experience to perform, especially in hospitals where there are few potential organ donors”, said the head of the Anesthesiology, intensive therapy and pain treatment center of Santara clinics, prof. Tomas Jovaiša.
He explained that the coordinators are in constant contact with the treatment facilities in the region.
“The subdivision has only been operating for a few months, so it is too early to draw far-reaching conclusions. But the first signs are very positive.
There were no effective donors in Utena before, but now a potential donor has been identified. This is an example that the donation process can take place not only in big cities, but also in other Lithuanian medical institutions”, noted T. Jovaiša.
The professor added that a potential organ donor was recently identified in the Visaginas hospital, but it did not become effective.
“Not every potential donor becomes effective for a number of reasons: various clinical parameters, family disapproval. This is normal. But the fact that in those hospitals where donors have not been identified so far, that process has started”, T. Jovaiša was happy.
Conversations are an emotional challenge
Donation is a relatively rare phenomenon. According to the professor, it is natural that smaller hospitals lack the necessary experience.
Santara clinics treat more than 3,000 people every year. patients in critical conditions, and we identify up to 30 potential donors. Thus, in smaller hospitals, colleagues may not encounter a potential donor for a year or more.
If it is not a constantly performed work, it is natural that it is impossible to maintain the necessary skills”, remarked T. Jovaiša.
According to him, that is why doctors working in the regions benefit from the help of their colleagues who are more often faced with organ donation. If there is a lack of equipment required for the tests, the patient can be transferred to a metropolitan hospital, the coordinators also go to the district hospital themselves, helping not only with medical issues.
“Conversations with the family members of the deceased take time. If there is only one doctor working in the intensive care unit, he has other patients, various daily tasks, and finding time to talk with the family is not easy. This is one of the roles provided for our coordinators”, explained T. Jovaiša.
The grief of loved ones in the face of death is enormous. Doctors must also prepare for this.
“This is an emotionally and professionally difficult situation. When we talk about donation, it means that someone has lost a loved one. It is understandable that the family is going through the loss with difficulty and making a decision about donation is not easy,” said the professor.
The team formed in Santara clinics includes not only experienced anesthesiologists, but also young doctors.
“The experience of the staff is varied. This is inevitable in the creation of any new structure,” said T. Jovaiša.
Medics also fail
Doctor anesthesiologist-reanimatologist Indrė Lapinskienė, who joined the regional donation services coordination subsection in July, does not hide that she still feels like a newcomer in this field.
“We came here already having the experience of communication with relatives, donor identification and preparation, but the new duties undoubtedly encourage deepening of knowledge and continuous learning.
It is a job that requires not only accurate medical knowledge, but also good communication skills – both with relatives and with the entire multidisciplinary team involved in the donation process – emotional resilience, and above all – empathy and compassion for others”, emphasized I.Lapinskienė .
She assured that every doctor feels a great responsibility to ensure that the conversation with relatives is maximally respectful and timely, and that the donation process goes smoothly.
“Despite the challenges, it redeems everything knowing that a successful effort will give someone a chance to live. This is the best motivation”, said I.Lapinskienė.
The doctor admitted that even doctors are not always able to control their emotions.
“Each conversation with relatives who have lost a family member is emotionally difficult and requires internal resources. It is impossible to completely detach yourself from another person’s pain. When providing emotional support, it is very important to try to maintain professional boundaries, but there are cases when the doctors participating in the interview cry with relatives when you feel emotionally “drained” after the interview.
It helps to realize that this communication is very important not only for the donation process itself, but also can provide emotional support to family members who have lost a loved one in their moment of great grief. I believe that being there, empathizing, can help the grieving process. Emotional stability is also provided by sharing experience with other donation coordinator colleagues, professional training is held”, said I.Lapinskienė.
“As a doctor, I consider organ donation to be a vital aspect of medicine because it gives a sick person a chance to recover and live. It is the highest form of compassion for another, solidarity and humanity, embodying a profound act of giving life, and it is an example of the highest form of altruism in the field of health care,” the doctor added.
Approximately 300 seriously ill patients are currently waiting for transplants in Lithuania.
October 14 this year is World Organ Donation Day.
2023-10-13 15:46:00
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