Exploring sources of job satisfaction and work-related stressors experienced by organ and tissue donation coordinators in Canada: a qualitative analysis.

OBJECTIVES

To explore the sources of job satisfaction and work-related stressors experienced by organ and tissue donation coordinators in Canada.

DESIGN

A qualitative descriptive approach incorporating semi-structured virtual interviews conducted between March 2022 and April 2024. Inductive coding was used for this analysis.

SETTING

Canadian organ donation organisations.

PARTICIPANTS

Coordinators from across Canada working in deceased organ and tissue donation programmes.

RESULTS

Perspectives from 39 coordinators from 10 organ donation organisations across Canada were explored in this analysis, of which most had a nursing degree (n=35, 89.75%) and a background in intensive care (n=32, 65.30%). Most participants were female (n=95, 81.9%), and the average age of participants was 41.8 (9.64). Satisfying aspects described by coordinators included interpersonal interactions, personal factors (such as a calling to the role) and work-related factors (such as the diverse work environment). Meanwhile, coordinators also highlighted work-related stressors experienced related to the outcomes, processes and structures of their roles.

CONCLUSIONS

Findings from this analysis emphasise the complex work-related stressors and satisfying aspects of work experienced by coordinators in Canada in delivering life-saving donation care. Steps to enhance and increase the satisfying aspects of the role and to reduce the modifiable stressors are warranted to support coordinators' critical work and their work-related well-being.