Challenges and Stressors of COVID-19 Kidney and Transplant Patients: A Mixed Methods Study
Y. A. Iraheta1, A. L. Murillo2, E. H. Wood1, S. M. Advani3, R. Pines4, A. D. Waterman1
1UCLA David Geffen School of Medicine, Los Angeles, CA, 2Terasaki Institute, Los Angeles, CA, 3National Human Genome Research Institute (NIH), Bethesda, MD, 4Santa Barbara Cottage Hospital, Santa Barbara, CA
Meeting: 2021 American Transplant Congress
Abstract number: 331
Keywords: Patient education, Psychosocial, Public policy
Topic: Clinical Science » Kidney » Kidney Psychosocial
Session Information
Session Name: Kidney Psychosocial
Session Type: Rapid Fire Oral Abstract
Date: Tuesday, June 8, 2021
Session Time: 4:30pm-5:30pm
Presentation Time: 5:00pm-5:05pm
Location: Virtual
*Purpose: To assess the unique needs of at-risk kidney and transplant patients and their caregivers during COVID-19, we established a telephone Listening Center enabling them to share about challenges seeking care, common stressors, and opportunities for healthcare delivery improvement.
*Methods: We conducted a mixed methods study where participants answered open and closed-ended questions about their health, financial, and emotional challenges during COVID-19. Data from open-ended questions were analyzed using thematic analysis. Descriptive statistics were run for quantitative items to explore frequencies of COVID-related stressors.
*Results: The 111 participants varied by race/ethnicity [Hispanic (29%), White (24%), Asian (23%), Black (23%), Other (1%)], with most being English-speakers (85%). Many participants experienced health, financial, or emotional COVID-19 related stressors (Table). Patients reported severe limitations due to need for social distancing, inability to go to overcrowded medical settings and public spaces, and difficulty receiving assistance replacing in-home dialysis supplies, childcare support, or help with home repairs. Using the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ4), 30% of participants reported feeling depressed and 35% reported feeling anxious on several to most days. Participants sought emotional support from family, friends, and communities of faith using facetime and zoom. Patients wanted a centralized place to receive COVID-19 updates, recommendations for safe activities, flexibility to choose online or in person medical visits, and regular follow up from their kidney/transplant specialists related to COVID-19.
*Conclusions: Over 40% of patients reported fear, frustration, loneliness, and postponed medical visits due to COVID-19. Needs-based interventions include mental health resources, education, and support for care transitions may be helpful, particularly as the pandemic continues.
To cite this abstract in AMA style:
Iraheta YA, Murillo AL, Wood EH, Advani SM, Pines R, Waterman AD. Challenges and Stressors of COVID-19 Kidney and Transplant Patients: A Mixed Methods Study [abstract]. Am J Transplant. 2021; 21 (suppl 3). https://atcmeetingabstracts.com/abstract/challenges-and-stressors-of-covid-19-kidney-and-transplant-patients-a-mixed-methods-study/. Accessed November 21, 2024.« Back to 2021 American Transplant Congress