Review of current pathways to wait-listing for kidney transplantation for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples with end-stage kidney disease in the Top End of Northern Australia.

In conclusion, barriers to wait-listing for kidney transplantation for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians are complex and can be addressed by redesigning healthcare provision, including increasing the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander workforce to provide education and patient navigation of the healthcare system and improve communication, streamlining investigations and coordinating specialist services.What is known about the topic?Access to wait-listing for kidney transplantation for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians from the Northern Territory is poor. Barriers to wait-listing for kidney transplantation can occur anywhere along the pathway of care from a patient's first contact with the renal service to wait-listing.What does this paper add?Identified barriers to wait-listing for kidney transplantation include health service workforce and resources shortages, patient and health service barriers such as patients' competing priorities, poor communication between the health service and patients, transport and accommodation for patients from remote communities, complex comorbidities, and access to specialist services.What are the implications for practitioners?Recruitment and retention of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander mentors, healthcare workers and patient navigators should be prioritised to provide an effective culturally appropriate service. Effective communication strategies with patients and improved access to streamlined appropri...
Source: Australian Health Review - Category: Hospital Management Authors: Tags: Aust Health Rev Source Type: research