Transplantation Direct (Jan 2021)

A Program of Research to Evaluate the Impact of Deceased Organ Donation Legislative Reform in Nova Scotia: The LEADDR Program

  • Matthew J. Weiss, MD,
  • Kristina Krmpotic, MD, MSc,
  • Tim Cyr, MS,
  • Sonny Dhanani, BSc Pharm, MD,
  • Mélanie Dieudé, PhD,
  • Jade S. Dirk, BSc,
  • David Hartell, BSc, MA,
  • Cynthia Isenor, RN, MScN,
  • Lee James, RN, BSN, MN,
  • Amanda Lucas, RN, MN, PhD,
  • Chelsea Patriquin, BA,
  • Christy Simpson, PhD,
  • Victoria L. Sullivan, BN, RN, MHS,
  • Karthik K. Tennankore, MD, SM,
  • Jennifer Thurlow, MSc,
  • Robin Urquhart, PhD,
  • Hans Vorster, BASc,
  • Stephen D. Beed, MD,
  • on behalf of the LEADDR Program

DOI
https://doi.org/10.1097/TXD.0000000000001093
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 7, no. 1
p. e641

Abstract

Read online

Background. This is the first time deemed consent, where the entire population of a jurisdiction is considered to have consented for donation unless they have registered otherwise, will be implemented in North America. While relatively common in other regions of the world—notably Western Europe—it is uncertain how this practice will influence deceased donation practices and attitudes in Canada. Methods. We describe a Health Canada funded program of research that will evaluate the implementation process and full impact of the deceased organ donation legislation and the health system transformation in Nova Scotia that includes opt-out consent. Results. There is a need to evaluate the impact of these changes to inform not only Nova Scotia and Atlantic Canada, but also other provincial, national, and international stakeholders. Conclusions. We establish a rigorous academic framework that we will use to evaluate this significant health system transformation.