Early Steps of the Kidney Transplant Process: What Are the Experiences of Dialysis Social Workers?

IF 1.9 4区医学 Q2 SURGERY

Clinical Transplantation Pub Date : 2025-05-20 DOI:10.1111/ctr.70182

Macey L. Levan, Katya Kaplow, Max C. Downey, Carolyn N. Sidoti, Rhiannon D. Reed, Kristy Richards, Scott E. Liebman, Elisa J. Gordon, Dianne LaPointe Rudow, Dorry L. Segev, Liise K. Kayler, Carrie Lindower, Laura L. Kimberly

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引用次数: 0

Abstract

Introduction

Dialysis social workers (DSWs) educate and advocate for end-stage kidney disease (ESKD) patients during the kidney transplantation (KT) process. However, little is known about the barriers DSWs face as they help patients get waitlisted and how to best support their efforts. We interviewed DSWs across New York (NY) State to examine their experiences, supports, and challenges in helping dialysis patients progress through KT education, referral, and evaluation.

Methods

We conducted semi-structured interviews with DSWs in NY State who had participated or expressed interest in a program designed to educate DSWs about KT and used rapid qualitative analysis to identify themes.

Findings

We interviewed 17 DSWs. Seven themes emerged: (1) DSWs report involvement in KT interest assessment, education, referral, and evaluation support, (2) DSWs report varying nephrologist support in helping patients progress to KT, (3) DSWs perceive social support and adherence as key factors in KT centers’ eligibility determinations, (4) DSWs have knowledge gaps around living donation and appreciate learning about KT from transplant centers and non-profit organizations, (5) Patients express KT concerns and DSWs counsel them about these concerns, (6) DSWs report solutions to help patients complete KT evaluation appointments, and (7) DSWs report communication deficiencies between dialysis centers and transplant centers, and patients.

Conclusions

Education for DSWs, support from nephrologists, and resources to help patients complete KT evaluation steps facilitated DSW engagement throughout the pre-transplant process, underscoring the need for multi-level, cross-disciplinary programs to support these efforts.

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肾移植过程的早期步骤：透析社工的经验是什么？

透析社工（DSWs）在肾移植（KT）过程中教育和倡导终末期肾病（ESKD）患者。然而，人们对dsw在帮助患者获得候补名单以及如何最好地支持他们的努力时所面临的障碍知之甚少。我们采访了纽约州的dsw，通过KT教育、转诊和评估来了解他们在帮助透析患者取得进展方面的经验、支持和挑战。方法：我们对纽约州的志愿服务生进行了半结构化访谈，这些志愿服务生参加了一个旨在教育志愿服务生有关KT的项目，或对该项目感兴趣，并使用快速定性分析来确定主题。我们采访了17名dsw。出现了七个主题：(1) dsw报告参与了KT兴趣评估、教育、转诊和评估支持，(2)dsw报告了不同的肾病专家在帮助患者进展到KT方面的支持，(3)dsw认为社会支持和依从性是KT中心资格确定的关键因素，(4)dsw在活体捐赠方面存在知识缺口，并感谢从移植中心和非营利组织了解KT。(5)患者表达对KT的担忧，dsw就这些担忧向他们提出建议；(6)dsw报告帮助患者完成KT评估预约的解决方案；(7)dsw报告透析中心和移植中心与患者之间的沟通不足。对DSW的教育、肾病学家的支持以及帮助患者完成KT评估步骤的资源，促进了DSW在整个移植前过程中的参与，强调了多层次、跨学科项目支持这些努力的必要性。

本文章由计算机程序翻译，如有差异，请以英文原文为准。

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来源期刊

Clinical Transplantation 医学-外科

CiteScore

3.70

自引率

4.80%

发文量

286

审稿时长

2 months

期刊介绍： Clinical Transplantation: The Journal of Clinical and Translational Research aims to serve as a channel of rapid communication for all those involved in the care of patients who require, or have had, organ or tissue transplants, including: kidney, intestine, liver, pancreas, islets, heart, heart valves, lung, bone marrow, cornea, skin, bone, and cartilage, viable or stored. Published monthly, Clinical Transplantation’s scope is focused on the complete spectrum of present transplant therapies, as well as also those that are experimental or may become possible in future. Topics include: Immunology and immunosuppression; Patient preparation; Social, ethical, and psychological issues; Complications, short- and long-term results; Artificial organs; Donation and preservation of organ and tissue; Translational studies; Advances in tissue typing; Updates on transplant pathology;. Clinical and translational studies are particularly welcome, as well as focused reviews. Full-length papers and short communications are invited. Clinical reviews are encouraged, as well as seminal papers in basic science which might lead to immediate clinical application. Prominence is regularly given to the results of cooperative surveys conducted by the organ and tissue transplant registries. Clinical Transplantation: The Journal of Clinical and Translational Research is essential reading for clinicians and researchers in the diverse field of transplantation: surgeons; clinical immunologists; cryobiologists; hematologists; gastroenterologists; hepatologists; pulmonologists; nephrologists; cardiologists; and endocrinologists. It will also be of interest to sociologists, psychologists, research workers, and to all health professionals whose combined efforts will improve the prognosis of transplant recipients.