Engaging Dialysis Teams in Shared Decision-Making Conversations With Patients to Improve Rates of Kidney...

Area of Science:

• Nephrology
• Transplantation
• Health Communication

Background:

• Increasing access to kidney transplantation requires active patient engagement and informed decision-making.
• Current communication between dialysis patients and providers regarding transplantation is often transactional and passive.
• Empowering patients with personalized information is crucial for shared decision-making about transplant options.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop and refine patient-centered communication tools for shared decision-making in dialysis facilities.
• To address key topics including active waiting list status, consent for hepatitis C and high-kidney donor profile index (KDPI) organ offers, and living donation.
• To enhance patient understanding and probability of receiving a kidney transplant.

Main Methods:

• Qualitative study utilizing virtual focus groups with diverse stakeholders (patients, care partners, providers).
• Iterative study design incorporating stakeholder input for tool development and refinement.
• Thematic analysis of focus group transcripts and quantitative evaluation of communication tools.

Main Results:

• Dialysis patients and providers described information exchange as transactional, with providers' limited knowledge acting as a barrier.
• Patients felt empowered by hearing successful experiences of peers.
• Personalized, multi-modal communication tailored to health literacy, including statistics and risk-benefit analyses, was identified as essential.

Conclusions:

• Understanding current practice patterns and patient preferences is key to developing effective communication tools.
• These tools can facilitate shared decision-making conversations between dialysis teams and patients regarding kidney transplantation.
• Improved communication may lead to better patient preparedness and increased kidney transplant rates.