Enhancing Education Regarding Living Donor Transplant Among Kidney Transplant Candidates

University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey, Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA)

The primary purpose of this study is to test different methods by which kidney transplant centers can educate potential transplant candidates about living donor kidney transplant (LDKT). The most effective ways to educate kidney transplant candidates about LDKT remain unclear. The goal is to determine, among a diverse cohort of potential kidney transplant candidates, whether a transplant center-based intervention will increase understanding of the opportunities for and process, risks, and benefits of living kidney donation and LDKT. The investigators hypothesize that kidney transplant candidates' understanding of living kidney donation and LDKT will be increased by interventions implemented at the transplant center on the day of transplant evaluation. The investigators propose a single-center, 2-arm, cluster-randomized, controlled trial to compare the effects of two educational strategies upon transplant candidates' understanding of living kidney donation and LDKT: Usual transplant education implemented by the transplant center, on the day of the transplant evaluation (standard care); and Intensive initial transplant education implemented on the day of the transplant evaluation. Intensive initial transplant education will utilize videos of living donors' experiences as well as a session with a trained Transplant Educator, who will focus upon living donation education. One week after the transplant evaluation day and 3 months later, the investigators will assess transplant candidates' knowledge of LDKT (using questionnaires), identify correlates of increased understanding of LDKT, and assess racial/ethnic differences in the understanding of LDKT.

On the day of the transplant evaluation at the transplant center, participants receive usual transplant education regarding living donor kidney transplant.

On the day of the transplant evaluation at the transplant center, participants receive usual transplant education regarding living donor kidney transplant. In addition, participants will (1) view a video, brochure, and fact sheet regarding living kidney donation, and (2) discuss the videos and materials with a transplant educator, in-person.

Participants will (1) view a video, brochure, and fact sheet regarding living kidney donation, and (2) discuss the videos and materials with a transplant educator, in-person.

Knowledge and understanding of the opportunities for and process, risks, and benefits of living kidney donation and LDKT

Knowledge and understanding of the opportunities for and process, risks, and benefits of living kidney donation and LDKT

(1) Up to 1 week after the transplant education day, and (2) Three months after the transplant education day

Changes in knowledge/understanding and attitudes/confidence/opinions regarding living kidney donation and LDKT

(1) Up to 1 week after the transplant education day, and (2) Three months after the transplant education day, compared to prior to the transplant evaluation day (baseline)

Inclusion Criteria: Appear for initial kidney transplant evaluation at Saint Barnabas Medical Center 18 years of age or older Able to provide informed consent Able to speak, hear, and understand English Exclusion Criteria:

Weng FL, Brown DR, Peipert JD, Holland B, Waterman AD. Protocol of a cluster randomized trial of an educational intervention to increase knowledge of living donor kidney transplant among potential transplant candidates. BMC Nephrol. 2013 Nov 19;14:256. doi: 10.1186/1471-2369-14-256.