A Department of Motor Vehicle–Based Intervention to Promote Organ Donor Registrations in New York State

Abstract

Use of point-of-decision materials and enrollment cards proved inexpensive method to register customers with a 3.6% return rate. Customers report low (27%) enrollment rate and reticence to consent to donation. Educational training sessions with representatives did not yield significant enrollment increases when evaluating data at county-level enrollment.

An evaluation of a motor vehicle facility campaign with an established statewide donor registry: A test of sustainable, evidence‐based intervention strategies

“…Previous research demonstrates the potential for MVF campaigns to assist with organ donation registration promotion . These studies consistently demonstrate the persuasive utility of clerk training, point‐of‐decision materials, and video narratives .…”

“…Previous research demonstrates the potential for MVF campaigns to assist with organ donation registration promotion . These studies consistently demonstrate the persuasive utility of clerk training, point‐of‐decision materials, and video narratives . However, for the most part, these MVF campaigns experienced their greatest success during their respective state's organ donor registry infancy.…”

“…The sheer number of MVF campaigns is impressive and because of this literature, a formula for what works has emerged. Specifically, MVF campaigns featuring trained MVF clerks, an interpersonal component, video narratives, and point‐of‐decision materials are more likely to increase organ donation registration rates compared to interventions without these elements. That said, these intervention components have demonstrated effectiveness at increasing registrations most typically when statewide registrations are relatively new; however, their effectiveness in MVFs with a mature registry remains understudied (see Ref.…”

“…Given the influential role interpersonal interactions play inside MVFs, researchers have studied how to train MVF clerks, an improved sustainable alternative to volunteers, to improve their interpersonal interactions with customers regarding organ donation, while at the same time increasing their knowledge about organ donation . Despite the critical nature of MVF clerks in the enrollment process, research has shown that MVF clerks often do not consistently broach the topic of organ donation and unfortunately do not score much better on organ donation knowledge questionnaires than the general public . Therefore, several efforts to increase MVF clerks’ knowledge about organ donation and the transplantation process have surfaced.…”

“…A third component of many successful organ donation campaigns inside MVFs is the presence of point‐of‐decision materials. Successful MVF campaigns have featured brochures, counter mats, floor mats, and posters as external cues to educate individuals about the importance of organ donation . Perhaps more importantly, extant research supports the effectiveness of these cues in increasing registration rates months after material placement .…”