March 10, 2025

Patients and care providers report some knowledge gaps in the kidney transplant process

A survey of kidney care providers and patients in British Columbia (B.C.) reveals how familiar each group is with pre-transplantation eligibility and referral processes and underscores the importance of transplant education.  

Kidney transplantation is the optimal treatment for eligible patients experiencing end-stage kidney failure, but the process to receive a kidney transplant is complex, requiring numerous steps for patients and health care providers to navigate and complete. Dr. Oshorenua  Aiyegbusi and colleagues sought to better understand barriers to the transplantation process in B.C. by surveying 100 health care providers—including nephrologists, registered nurses, and coordinators — and 146 patients awaiting a kidney transplant.  

The results show that 71 per cent of registered nurses and 92 per cent of nephrologists felt knowledgeable about transplant eligibility; to a similar but slightly lesser extent, they reported feeling confident discussing living donation with patients. However, only 47 per cent of health care workers surveyed knew the steps involved in the transplant evaluation process, suggesting that more support and training for staff in this respect could be beneficial.  

Among patients surveyed, roughly half had already received education on the transplant process, while the other half was awaiting education. Among the educated group, 66 per cent of respondents reported that they understood the transplant evaluation process, while only 22 per cent of the patients still awaiting education on the topic reported understanding it. These results underscore the importance of education and training to boost knowledge surrounding pre-transplantation processes.