Participant Experiences With a Virtual Peer Coaching and Grief Support Intervention for Organ and Tissue Donor Families

Abstract

Introduction

Research shows that donor families report feeling abandoned, lacking social support, and receiving insufficient aftercare services. To meet the needs of these families, Taylor's Gift Foundation developed a free, virtual grief support program that pairs participating donor family members with Caring Guides trained in assertive community engagement and offers peer-facilitated support groups.

Project Aim

The aim was to assess participant experiences with Taylor's Gift Foundation grief support program to understand its impact on grief symptoms, donor family access to grief support, and perceived social support.

Design

Researchers conducted a qualitative evaluation using semi-structured interviews with 21 program participants. Results were analyzed using rapid qualitative analysis and descriptive statistics.

Results

Eighteen (86%) participants worked with Caring Guides, 12 (57%) attended an average of 7 support groups, and 8 (39%) worked with Caring Guides and attended support groups. Eleven (52%) program participants reported difficulties accessing mental health services. Most program participants (86%) reported a decrease in grief intensity since enrolling in the program.

Conclusion

Effective aftercare services were critical in helping donor families cope with, and adapt to, their loss. The Taylor's Gift Foundation grief support program helped donor family members access otherwise inaccessible grief support services and provided a valuable means of social support.