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Increasing living donation by implementing the Kidney Coach Program
Author(s) -
LaPointe Rudow Dianne,
Geatrakas Sara,
Armenti Jonathan,
Tomback Ariella,
Khaim Rafael,
Porcello Lisa,
Pan Stephanie,
Arvelakis Antonios,
Shapiro Ron
Publication year - 2019
Publication title -
clinical transplantation
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.918
H-Index - 76
eISSN - 1399-0012
pISSN - 0902-0063
DOI - 10.1111/ctr.13471
Subject(s) - medicine , kidney donation , donation , organ donation , kidney transplantation , transplantation , surgery , law , political science
Candidates for living donor kidney transplantation (LDKT) find it difficult to discuss living donation with people in their social network, and there is a lack of useful interventions to train them. The Kidney Coach Program (KCP) was developed to equip individuals (advocates for candidates and candidate themselves) with the tools needed to find potential donors. The purpose of this pilot study is to evaluate the effects of the KCP on increasing the number of people considering living donation. Methods Candidates for the KCP were recruited. Data were collected on the number of live donor inquiries in the coach group compared to listed patients (historical controls). Results Over a 12‐month period, 20 transplant candidates enrolled in the KCP were compared to 50 controls. Eighty percent of the participants in the KCP had at least one donor inquiry compared to 38% of controls ( P = 0.001). Significantly, more Caucasian candidates participated in the KCP compared to other racial groups. Conclusions The KCP can be an effective method to increase awareness of a patient's need for LDKT. Existing clinical staff successfully implemented the program. Transplant programs should provide training to candidates and their supports on effective ways to find a living donor.