The program combines flexible self-paced learning with interactive, team-based education:

• 30% Theory: Videos, readings, podcasts, and lectures
• 70% Practice: Case discussions, group activities, and applied exercises

The learning journey includes pre-course preparation, interactive sessions during the course, and post-course assessment and evaluation.

ESOD Modules

• Module DIR: Donor Identification and Referral
• Module BD–DNC: Brain Death by Neurological Criteria
• Module BBN: Breaking Bad News & Consent Conversations
• Module DM: Donor Maintenance
• Cross-Cutting Theme: Multidisciplinary Coordination

Participants retain access to learning materials for one year from their first module registration.

Participants may register for individual certified modules or complete all four modules within one year to be awarded the full ESOD Professional Certificate.

Overview

This module focuses on the early recognition of potential deceased organ donors and timely referral within the UAE national donation pathway.

Participants will learn how to identify clinical triggers, recognize catastrophic and non-survivable brain injury, and understand the importance of early referral before completion of Death by Neurological Criteria testing. The module reinforces that referral is based on donor potential and should not be delayed until the full DNC process is completed.

Key Learning Areas

• Recognizing clinical triggers for potential donor identification.
• Identifying patients with non-survivable brain injury and a GCS of 3.
• Understanding when and how to refer to the national donation system.
• Communicating essential referral information, including age, cause of injury, and hemodynamic status.
• Understanding that early referral supports Hayat registry review, OPO preparation, and retrieval team readiness.
• Integrating donor identification into routine ICU and emergency clinical practice.

Learning Approach

• Short video.
• Case-based examples.
• Readiness assurance questions.
• Team-based application exercises.
• Assessment
• Pre-test.
• Readiness assurance questions.
• Scenario-based discussion.
• Final assessment.

Overview

This module focuses on the clinical and legal requirements for determining death by neurological criteria in the UAE.

Participants will review the prerequisites for DNC determination, exclusion of confounding factors, clinical examination requirements, apnea testing, ancillary testing when required, and documentation expectations. The module emphasizes the rigor, safety, and legal finality of the DNC process.

Key Learning Areas

• Understanding the legal recognition of DNC in the UAE.
• Establishing the known cause of irreversible brain injury.
• Excluding confounding factors such as hypothermia, metabolic derangement, sedation, and paralytic effects.
• Performing and interpreting brainstem reflex assessment.
• Understanding apnea testing requirements.
• Recognizing when ancillary testing is required.
• Completing documentation, independent examinations, and required waiting periods.

Learning Approach

• Evidence-based reading.
• Guided discussion.
• Readiness assurance questions.
• Clinical scenario review.
• Assessment
• Pre-test.
• Readiness assurance questions.
• DNC-related case discussion.
• Final assessment.

Overview

This module focuses on clear, compassionate, and structured family communication during catastrophic brain injury, death explanation, and donation-related conversations.

Participants will learn how effective breaking bad news helps family members understand, reduces false hope, and prepares the ground for appropriate donation conversations. The module also introduces the Separator Rule, emphasizing the distinction between the treating team’s role and the Organ Procurement Officer’s role in the donation request.

Key Learning Areas

• Breaking bad news in catastrophic and irreversible brain injury.
• Communicating prognosis clearly and consistently.
• Avoiding vague language and false hope.
• Managing family expectations and second-opinion requests.
• Supporting family acceptance of death.
• Explaining the DNC using clear and appropriate language.
• Applying the Separator Rule to protect trust and avoid perceived conflict of interest.
• Understanding the role of the Organ Procurement Officer in donation conversations.

Learning Approach

• Communication-focused video.
• Case-based discussion.
• Team-based reflection.
• Facilitated debriefing.
• Assessment
• Readiness assurance questions.
• Communication scenario discussion.
• Application exercises.
• Final assessment.

Overview

This module focuses on physiological donor maintenance after death determination to preserve organ viability and support successful transplantation.

Participants will learn how care transitions from neuroprotection to organ preservation. The module highlights critical care priorities, including hemodynamic support, fluid balance, management of diabetes insipidus, hormonal replacement, oxygenation, ventilation targets, and the role of ICU nurses in continuous donor maintenance.

Key Learning Areas

• Understanding the transition from neuroprotection to organ preservation.
• Applying key physiological donor maintenance principles.
• Hemodynamic optimization and vasopressor support.
• Fluid management and diabetes insipidus management.
• Endocrine and hormonal replacement therapy.
• Oxygenation and ventilation targets.
• Preserving organ viability and graft function.
• Recognizing the role of ICU nurses and multidisciplinary teams in donor maintenance.

Learning Approach

• Screencast lecture.
• Practical case discussion.
• Team-based application exercise.
• Facilitated debriefing.
• Assessment
• Readiness assurance questions.
• Donor maintenance case scenario.
• Final assessment.
• Quality improvement commitment.

Overview

Multidisciplinary coordination is embedded across all four essential ESOD skills. Throughout the course, participants will understand how hospital teams, the National Center for Donation and Transplant, Organ Procurement Officers, retrieval teams, transplant teams, and logistics partners work together across the donation pathway. This theme is reinforced through team-based learning, readiness assurance questions, application exercises, patient stories, and facilitated debriefing.

Integrated Topics

• Referral and communication with the national donation system.
• Role clarity between treating teams and Organ Procurement Officers.
• Coordination between the ICU, emergency, neurology, retrieval, and transplant teams.
• Organ retrieval, allocation, offering, and logistics.
• Interprofessional teamwork and shared accountability.
• Quality improvement and practice change.

Note: 

• Applications can be received either through healthcare organizations (nominations) or via individual applications for external seats.

• Screening and selection will be conducted by the course faculty committee.

• CME credits will be issued only to attendees who demonstrate full commitment and attend all course days.