FACTOR: EU set-up of organ donation and transplantation - final review, 2016-2017

Duration: Jan 2016 - Mar 2017

Background
In recent years, the number of organ transplants has increased and has become a common practice in medicine. Organ transplantation is crucial for the treatment of certain conditions. Despite this, there is a shortage of organ donors across Europe. To this end, the European Union drew up an action plan in 2009, the "Action Plan on Organ Donation and Transplantation (2009-2015): Strengthened Cooperation between Member States". This plan describes a number of action points that can help Member States reduce the shortage of organ donors. In addition, the action points are aimed at the quality and safety of the procedures for organ donation. Three years after the start of the action plan, NIVEL evaluated the state of affairs. Now, after seven years, NIVEL is carrying out the final review of the action plan.

Research question
What efforts have been made for the "Action Plan on Organ Donation and Transplantation (2009-2015): Strengthened Cooperation between Member States", and to what extent has this plan been implemented both at EU level and at individual EU Member States?

Method
A systematic review is carried out of both scientific and non-scientific sources, supplemented by the consultation of European contacts by means of a questionnaire. The basis for this are existing action indicators regarding organ donation, which will be evaluated. This allows strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats (SWOT) to be exposed.

Result
The study provides insight into the extent to which the European member states have implemented the action plan during the first half of its term. Based on this insight, recommendations will be formulated for further policy in the field of organ donation and transplantation.