Course Summary
Application Deadline
October 9, 2025
Course Dates
17-18 October, 2025
About the Course
The Essential Skills in Organ Donation Professional Certificate, offered by Mohammed Bin Rashid University of Medicine and Health Sciences (MBRU), is a 2-day face-to-face program designed for healthcare providers who want to advance their expertise and professionalism in organ donation.
This intensive course combines:
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Theoretical learning (30%) through interactive lectures and discussions.
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Practical workshops (70%) that deliver hands-on training with direct feedback from expert faculty.
By completing this course, participants will:
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Gain a solid foundation in the principles and best practices of organ donation.
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Build the clinical skills and confidence to apply these practices in real-world healthcare settings.
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Enhance their ability to integrate organ donation processes into daily clinical practice.
Upon successful completion of all course requirements, participants will be awarded the MBRU Essential Skills in Organ Donation Professional Certificate. This program is also CME-accredited, ensuring recognition of your professional development.
Admission Criteria
| Professional Background | Licensed healthcare professionals (physicians, nurses, allied health)
Specialty: ICU, Emergency, Neurology, and Internal Medicine staff |
| English Language | The participant must be able to engage in learning and assessment in English. |
| Professional Experience | At least 1 year |
| Documents |
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Note:
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Applications can be received either through healthcare organizations (nominations) or via individual applications for external seats.
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Screening and selection will be conducted by the course faculty committee.
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CME credits will be issued only to attendees who demonstrate full commitment and attend all course days.
Course Outline
Course Plan
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30% Theoretical Learning (didactic sessions)
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70% Practical Workshops (hands-on and participative)
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Pre-course: Reading materials and a short pre-test
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During the course: Interactive learning and ongoing assessments
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Post-course: Final assessment
| Modules | Description |
| Module 1: Donor Identification and Detection | Systematic process of recognizing potential organ donors in critical care and emergency settings. This module addresses:
Clinical Triggers – recognizing early signs of catastrophic brain injury or irreversible neurological damage. Screening Protocols – structured use of checklists and referral criteria to ensure no eligible donor is missed. Timely Referral – initiating early contact with organ donation teams to optimize donor potential. Focus is placed on interprofessional responsibility and the importance of integrating donor detection into routine clinical practice. |
| Module 2: Brain Death Determination | Comprehensive review of the principles, standards, and practice of diagnosing brain death and declaring death by neurological criteria (DNC). The module covers:
Clinical Assessment – stepwise examination of brainstem reflexes and apnea testing. Ancillary Testing – role of confirmatory investigations when clinical examination is inconclusive or impossible. DNC Declaration – a formal process of documenting, certifying, and legally recognizing death by neurological criteria in accordance with national regulations. Ethical Framework – safeguarding accuracy, transparency, and professional accountability to maintain public trust. Participants will gain confidence in conducting and documenting DNC declarations in alignment with medical, legal, and ethical standards. |
| Module 3: Family Communication & Consent | This module provides evidence-based methods for engaging families in sensitive discussions following the DNC declaration. Core elements include:
Communication Skills – structured conversations delivered with empathy, clarity, and cultural sensitivity. Informed Consent Process – ensuring families understand brain death, organ donation options, and their rights in decision-making. Supporting Families – addressing emotional, cultural, and religious concerns during end-of-life care. Team Approach – collaboration between physicians, nurses, and transplant coordinators to communicate consistently and compassionately. The aim is to equip professionals with strategies that foster trust, facilitate consent, and support grieving families. |
| Module 4: Donor Management | Focuses on optimizing the physiological stability of the brain-dead donor to preserve organ viability before procurement. Key components include:
Hemodynamic Support – maintaining adequate circulation and organ perfusion. Ventilation and Oxygenation – lung-protective strategies to reduce injury and improve transplant outcomes. Endocrine and Metabolic Management – correcting hormonal imbalances, electrolyte disturbances, and acid–base disorders. Infection Control & Multiorgan Support – preventing sepsis and coordinating multidisciplinary interventions. The objective is to maximize the number and quality of organs available for transplantation through evidence-based donor care. |
Registration Form
The online application form is the official and sole method for requesting enrollment in the Essential Skills in Organ Donation Professional Certificate. This form is intended to register your interest in the program. All submissions will be screened by our team, and only shortlisted applicants will be contacted. All fields must be completed carefully in accordance with the provided guidelines.
