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Enabling Conversations: African American Patients’ Changing Perceptions of Kidney Transplantation

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Journal of Racial and Ethnic Health Disparities Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Background

Racial disparities in access to kidney transplantation (KTX) among African Americans (AAs) have been attributed in part to insufficient patient education. Interventions are needed to provide AAs with culturally sensitive, understandable information that increases their capacity to pursue KTX. Research about the factors that activated patients to pursue KTX is necessary to inform such interventions; however, few studies have yielded this type of information.

Methods

We conducted focus groups and one-on-one interviews with 26 AA referred, listed, or transplanted patients and 3 nephrologists to explore decisional factors that foster pursuit of KTX. Interviews were recorded and transcribed, and qualitative analytic methods to identify themes and subthemes were applied in an effort to inform message content for a future educational video intervention.

Results

Three themes emerged from thematic content analysis: (1) healthcare provider communication, (2) exposure to peer transplant success, and (3) family encouragement. Enabling provider communication techniques include repetition about the KTX option, optimistic messaging about KTX access, and comforting conversations about the KTX process.

Conclusion

We identified information based on patient views and experiences to help inspire and develop animated videos designed to activate patients towards KTX. Interventions are needed that address informational gaps and focus on emotion to improve patients’ experiences and ability to understand transplant opportunities.

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Abbreviations

(AA):

African American

(ESRD):

end-stage renal disease

(KTX):

kidney transplantation

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Funding

The work reported in this paper was supported by the University at Buffalo Vice President for Research and Development IMPACT award.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, University at Buffalo, 462 Grider Street, Buffalo, NY, 14215, USA

    Lauren Lewis, Beth Dolph & Liise K. Kayler

  2. Transplant and Kidney Care Regional Center of Excellence, Erie County Medical Center, Buffalo, NY, USA

    Meriem Said & Liise K. Kayler

  3. Department of Communication, University at Buffalo, State University of New York, Buffalo, NY, USA

    Thomas H. Feeley

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  1. Lauren Lewis
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  2. Beth Dolph
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Correspondence to Lauren Lewis.

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Lewis, L., Dolph, B., Said, M. et al. Enabling Conversations: African American Patients’ Changing Perceptions of Kidney Transplantation. J. Racial and Ethnic Health Disparities 6, 536–545 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40615-018-00552-x

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