Introduction: KeTLOD is an “Erasmus+ project that facilitates the development and implementation of a postgraduate program in organ donation in accordance with the European Space for Higher Education guidelines and customized to the needs of Chinese healthcare professionals as beneficiaries of the program. Universities from 3 different European countries (Spain, France, and Italy) and China (Shanghai Jiao Tong University (SJTU) – Renji Hospital, Hospital Capital Medical University (CCMU), Kunming University (KU), Wuhan University (WHU), Second Military Medical University Shanghai (SMMU), Nanchang University (UN), Guangxi University of Chinese Medicine (GUCM) – Transplant Institute of Medicine Nanning) collaborate to develop this new lifelong learning strategy.
Methods: Project evaluation is being performed on 3 levels: Donation Diagnosis (DD), Training and Quality. DD was carried out before designing the two-level educational initiative, following different adapted questionnaire methodologies and conducted in 3 parts: “Donation activity”, “Existing trainings & Specific training needs” and “Online feasibility &University requirements”. First educational level consisted of a Train the Trainers (TxT) blended program (online and face to face) addressed to future Chinese trainers. Together with them and the European experts the second training level is being developed and implemented as 1-year postgraduate program (PP) of 25 ECTS credits (625 hours). The program employs blended learning methodology (local and international seminars, online training and traineeships). Pre- and post-training tests, self-assessing activities, and traineeship activity charts are being used to evaluate the students. The accreditation procedures of PP are in progress.  To assess the program, qualitative and quantitative tools are being employed such as questionnaires, rubrics and interviews.
Results: DD showed a lack of academic training in the field in the beneficiary Chinese universities. TxT was completed by 22 Chinese trainers. The training program was evaluated with 4.95 and its applicability to their job with 4.90 (on a scale from 1-poor to 5-excellent). A total of 140 participants from the 7 Chinese universities were selected on specific criteria for PP. The academic year started and 7 local seminars on organ donation have been organized so far, one in Beijing, 3 in Kunming and 3 in Shanghai.  The online training is currently being produced and the international seminar along with the traineeship charts are being drafted.
Conclusions: KeTLOD is an ambitious initiative that sets the basis of an academic training in organ donation in 7 Chinese universities, following successful European models and in compliance with the European Space for Higher Education.