Improving the after care for deceased organ donor families and friends, an online peer to peer support network

Ditchfield, Angela

Abstract

The thesis explores the use of social media to support bereavement aftercare for families/friends of organ donors following the death of their relative. Existing research appraising the aftercare of families/friends post-deceased donation is limited. The national practice has not progressed, with families/friends receiving limited bereavement support following organ donation.
A closed Facebook group, 'Donor Families Together,' was created for donor family/friends to connect, offering peer support using an online platform. With group participants' consent, a qualitative research study ran consecutively for 12 months. Conversational data from the Facebook group was downloaded, including 1452 posts and the results of 3 polls (short surveys). Six selected participants were also invited to participate in an in-depth one-to-one interview with the researcher, capturing personal experiences from individuals with differing relationships with the deceased. Thematic analysis of group and individual narrative data generated rich integrated findings and new knowledge to inform practice.
The research found that organ donor families who joined the group connected with others living through this unique grief experience, sharing their most intimate feelings with strangers, and offering support any time of the day or night. It has been a welcomed space for organ donor families/friends to unite through their lived experience of death and donation, providing them with a safe environment to share emotions, grief, and questions, offering peer support, and building a special bereavement community. The findings from this unique longitudinal study provided new knowledge related to the aftercare bereavement needs of organ donor families/friends, resulting in the development of a unique grief model for organ donor families/friends.
The study informs best clinical practice and highlights a peer support service developed to improve bereavement recovery post organ donation through real-life peer support. This innovative approach valued the impact of social media in connecting organ donor families, and provided an understanding of the complex aftercare needs of organ donor families/friends.

Citation

Ditchfield, A. (2024). Improving the after care for deceased organ donor families and friends, an online peer to peer support network. (Thesis). University of Salford

• Thesis Type: Thesis
• Deposit Date: Jun 29, 2023
• Publicly Available Date: Jul 1, 2024
• Award Date: May 31, 2024