Strategies for Increasing Knowledge, Communication, and Access to Living Donor Transplantation: an Evidence Review to Inform Patient Education

AbstractPurpose of ReviewInadequate knowledge of the benefits, risks, and opportunities for living donation is an important, potentially modifiable barrier to living donor transplantation. We assessed the current state of the evidence regarding strategies to increase knowledge, communication, and access to living donor transplantation, as reported in peer-reviewed medical literature.Recent FindingsNineteen studies were reviewed, categorized as programs evaluated in randomized controlled trials (8 studies) and programs supported by observational (non-randomized) studies (11 studies). Content extraction demonstrated that comprehensive education about living donation and living donor transplantation involves multiple learners —the transplant candidate, potential living donors, and social support networks—and requires communicating complex information about the risks and benefits of donation, transplantation, and alternative therapies to these different audiences. Transplant centers can help patients learn about livin g donor transplantation through a variety of formats and modalities, including center-based, home-based, and remote technology-based education, outreach to dialysis centers, and social media. Evaluation of these strategies and program themes informed a new Organ Procurement and Transplantation Netwo rk (OPTN)/United Network for Organ Sharing (UNOS) public education brochure.SummaryIncreasing transplant candidate knowledge and comfort in talking about living dona...
Source: Current Transplantation Reports - Category: Transplant Surgery Source Type: research