Introduction: In the past decade, the reform of organ donation and transplantation (OD & OT) in China has achieved success. Currently, in China, there exist 111 organ procurement organizations (OPO) and 4 models in total, while the provincial OPO model is considered as the final goal in achieving self-sufficiency in OT. Shanxi OPO was founded as the first independent provincial OPO in China, the “Shanxi Model” provides a solution for the standardization of organ procurement in China. In order to push the scientific development of our OPO, furthermore, to promote the professionalism of the OD discipline, a Scientific Committee was established within our OPO. Over 20 experts from multidisciplinary background (OD & OT, intensive care, neurology, ethics, mass media, etc.) are brought together to provide guidance on the direction of the scientific research, as well as offer advice on the professional construction of our OPO.
Method: Various kinds of consultations were made with relevant professionals to carry out scientific research programs and formulate expert consensus. Through combining research results with clinical experience, we try to figure out how to promote the professionalism of the OD discipline.
Results: The building of the OD discipline requires the training of a host of application-oriented composite professionals. Thus, a reference standard for the construction of coordinator training base, together with a comprehensive training program were developed. As one of the core links in OD procedure, family communication is considered a critical and professional matter. Thus, we initiated an expert consensus on effective family approaching. Fundamentally, the knowledge basis of OD is a medical-centered subject with sociological, humanistic, psychological, and ethical attributes. Thus, together with ethicists, we study how to establishing the trust system for OD; together with humanists, we explore how to incorporate OD practice into hospice care service; together with intensivists, we research on the role of critical care professionals in OD, and etc.
Conclusion: In the past 3 years, the scientific work of our OPO has achieved progress under the support of multidisciplinary experts. Transformation of research results has also been seen through the improvement of professional competence of our team, through the increasing recognition and participation of relevant medical staff in our donation work, and finally through the professional development of our OPO. Therefore, promoting the OD discipline development is of positive significance for enhancing the professional identity of OD practitioners so as to further promote the sustainable development of OD & OT.