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Launching a European Platform

Towards a common European policy Jan Busschbach

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Scarcity of donor organs

Scarcity of donor organs Ever since transplantation started

Although it has been contested by medical progress

Scarcity will increase Has not been solved by medical progress

as medical progress will continue

Scarcity In fact distribution problem Scarcity seems function of health policy

We should address ‘Ethical, Legal and Psychological Aspects’

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No fluid progress

In health policy progress seems less clear than the medical advancements

Examples Failure to increase post mortem donation

Failure to control commercial donation

No real progress over 20 years some even suggest decline

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Obstructive factors

One can think of several obstructive factors In the progress of ‘Ethical, Legal and Psychological Aspects’

Embedded in local…. National values

Health care systems

National political systems

Difficulty implementing international research

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Chances

Local differences, increases variances We can observe real life experiments

Often on a nation size level

Quality increases when comparing the differences General rule; bench marking

So… facilitate communication!

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Communication

“Communication is the problem to the answer…” 10 cc, The thinks we do for love, 1976

As there is no specific communication platform Journal

Society, foundation

• At least in Europe

Conference

• At least not a regular one

10 cc

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Ad hoc initiatives in the past

Last initiative by Land, Gutman,Sells & Daar International Congress on Ethics of

Organ Transplantation

December 2002

Munich

Successful Bring together scientist and policy

Report in books

Nevertheless ad hoc

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Continuity: platform

There seems to be a need… ..but can we establish continuity?

Try to replicate last initiative in Munich Initiative of Erasmus MC, Dutch Transplantation Foundation,

and Dutch Health Council

Add continuity: Establish a European Platform

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The platform: ELPAT

What; European platform

Ethical, Legal and Psychological Aspects of Transplantation

How: Facilitate and structure communication about European

research initiatives in this field of science

Quality improvement

Wherefore: To make progression in resolving the scarcity in donor organs,

within well establish legal, psychological and ethical boundaries

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5 objectives of ELPAT

1. Organize a conference to mark the start of the platform

2. Establish a secretariat and initial resources to initiate the Platform

3. Bring continuity and structure in the dialogue (communication)

4. Be helpful in solving differences between European countries,

and in formulating guidelines

5. Inform the general public

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International conference

Objective 1 Organize a high quality international conference to mark the

start of the platform

Facilitate high quality scientific communication Help to formulate priorities in research and

policy for the Platform

A start is a necessary but not sufficient condition of continuity…

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Secretariat and initial resources

Objective 2: Establish a secretariat and initial resources to initiate the

Platform

The ELPAT Platform has successfully applied for a grant of the European Union For the conference

For the platform

Sufficient for 0.2 FTE secretariat and 0.5 FTE coordinator for the first year, that is until April 2008

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Continuity and structure

Objective 3: Bring continuity and structure in the dialogue

Research agenda A book

reflecting the main discussion themes of the conference

A willing publisher and sufficient resources are already arranged

www.elpat.eu Will be continued

Newsletter Twice a year

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Continuity and structure: ESOT

Cooperated with ESOT Look for possibility to professionalise

Meetings Small task force meetings for specific priority topics

• Obviously, topic identified here during the meeting

Organize small general meetings

• Preferably satellite meetings synchronized with ESOT meetings

Organize large ‘stand alone’ conference every 4 year

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European guidelines

Objective 4 Be helpful in formulating European guidelines on ethical, legal

and psychological aspects

Towards a common European policy

Focus on the priorities as put forward during the founding conference

Make draft recommendations and guidelines Organize task force meetings to establish the guidelines

The Platform will try to be a link with European organizations e.g. EU, Council of Europe, ESOT

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Inform the general public

Objective 5 Informing the general public about new developments in the

field of ethical, legal and psychological aspects of organ transplantation

Health policy needs public communication Much of our work is determined by media

Making pages at website for lay people Provide state-of-the-art information

An internet discussion platform

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5 objectives of ELPAT

Organize a high quality international conference to start the platform

Establish a secretariat and initial resources

Bring continuity in the dialogueESOT

- Be helpful in formulating European guidelines

Inform the general publicPress have already been active

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Further items

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Leaving Rotterdam

Do not forget your possible book contributions….

Have a last lunch with us… We wise you a comfortable and safe journey

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