OPEN ACCESS
Alberta’s research priorities to advance organ donation and transplantation: an ecosystem-based and consensus-driven approach to strategic research planning.
Saeideh Davoodi1,2*, Patricia Gongal1,2,3*, Sean Delaney1,2, Jason P. Acker1,2,14, Bernadine Boulet2, Toby Boulet2,11, Esme Dijke1,2,5,14, Janet A.W. Elliott1,2,14,15, Kieran Halloran1,2,6, Anne Halpin1,2,5,14, David Hartell4, Lindsey Kemp2, Andreas Kramer2,7,8, Ngan Lam2,8,9, Diana Mager1,2,10, Tumelo Mokoena2,12, Andrew Pepper1,2,13, Linda Powell2,11, Puneeta Tandon1,2,6, Murray Wilson2,11, Rachel Wilkins2,12, Jennifer Woolfsmith2,11, Lori West1,2,3,16
Abstract
The Alberta Transplant Institute designed a strategic research planning initiative to address the unique research needs of organ and tissue donation and transplantation in Alberta. Bringing together the broad Alberta donation and transplantation ecosystem, this initiative created an effective mechanism to link a region’s research expertise with system-identified and patient, family, and donor-identified challenges to create a unified, prioritized body of key research needs. Patient, family, and donor partners were integrated into every stage of this initiative. We applied the Nominal Group Technique methodology to create consensus priorities, divided into five topic areas spanning the full spectrum of organ donation and transplantation science, policy, and practice. The consensus-building process involved a survey, 10 virtual working group sessions, and a hybrid community consultation event. Fifteen research priorities emerged and were consolidated into a strategic research roadmap for the Alberta Transplant Institute. This work aims to ensure that the Institute’s research activities remain focused on addressing the most pressing challenges. The process and findings are a valuable resource for researchers, policymakers, and healthcare practitioners in Alberta and beyond who are committed to a consensus-based approach to producing new knowledge, practices, and policies.
Citation
Davoodi, Saeideh et al (2024). Alberta’s research priorities to advance organ donation and transplantation: an ecosystem-based and consensus-driven approach to strategic research planning. Canadian Health Policy, MAR 2024. https://doi.org/10.54194/PVBQ287 canadianhealthpolicy.com.
Affiliations
1University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta; 2Alberta Transplant Institute, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta; 3Canadian Donation and Transplantation Research Program, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta; 4Hartell Consulting, Ottawa, Ontario; 5Alberta Precision Laboratories, Edmonton, Alberta; 6Department of Medicine, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta; 7 Departments of Critical Care Medicine and Clinical Neurosciences, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta; 8University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta; 9Department of Community Health Sciences, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta; 10Department of Agricultural, Food & Nutritional Science, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta; 11Alberta ORGANization Group, Okotoks, Alberta; 12Alberta Health Services, Calgary, Alberta; 13Department of Surgery, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta; 14Department of Laboratory Medicine & Pathology, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta; 15Department of Chemical and Materials Engineering, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta; 16Department of Pediatrics, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta; *Authors contributed equally to this work.
Corresponding author: Dr. Lori J West, ljwest@ualberta.ca, Room 6002, Li Ka Shing Centre for Health Research Innovation, Edmonton, AB, Canada T6G 2E1
Acknowledgements
This manuscript has been endorsed by Canadian Blood Services, Canadian Liver Foundation (Alberta Chapter), Kidney Foundation Northern Alberta & The Territories Branch, Canadian Transplant Association (Alberta Chapter), and Alberta Precision Laboratories.
Dedicated to the memory of Murray Wilson.
Publishing status
Peer reviewed. Submitted: 15 JAN 2024. Published: 7 MAR 2024.
Open access sponsorship: University of Alberta, College of Health Sciences, Faculty of Medicine & Dentistry, Alberta Transplant Institute.
