Closing the Knowledge Gap: The Successful Launch of an Interactive Website Dedicated to Information on Living Kidney Donor Transplantation
1Internal Medicine, Division of Nephrology and Transplantation, Erasmus MC, Rotterdam, Netherlands
2Surgery, Division of Transplant Surgery, Erasmus MC, Rotterdam, Netherlands.
Meeting: 2015 American Transplant Congress
Abstract number: 498
Keywords: Donors, Patient education, unrelated
Session Information
Session Name: Concurrent Session: Psychosocial and Treatment Adherence
Session Type: Concurrent Session
Date: Tuesday, May 5, 2015
Session Time: 4:00pm-5:30pm
Presentation Time: 4:24pm-4:36pm
Location: Room 121-C
Introduction. The internet is increasingly used to find reliable information about living kidney donation (LKD) and transplantation (LKT). Therefore, an easily accessible, interactive website was developed with the aim of raising awareness of LKD and to inform and interact with potential donors and recipients (www.livingdonation.eu). The website includes general information on LKD, LKT and personal stories of donors and recipients. It is also possible to get in touch with a transplant professional to answer questions online or to indicate that donation of a kidney is considered. The website aimed to raise awareness of LKD, to inform potential recipients and donors, to interact with them and to get in touch with potential donors.
Methods. Data of all web-visitors between the launch of the website in March 2014 until November 2014 were included. Web-metrics were used to measure reach (unique/returning visitors, shared blogs). Interaction was measured by the number of questions asked to the transplant professionals. Donation intention was measured by the number of submitted donation forms. Actual kidney donation was measured by a follow-up of donors who submitted the donation form.
Results. On average, more than 500 unique visitors were recorded each month. From the total number of visitors, 38% visited the website frequently. Several blogs and personal stories were shared on facebook, which led to a greater reach (>2000 visits). There were 37 questions asked to the online panel of transplant professionals and 22 persons indicated they considered donation by submitting the donation form. Most of them were unspecified donors (N = 17). This resulted in 1 donation so far. One person is on the waitlist for donor nephrectomy, and 5 potential donors are still in the evaluation process. Eight persons were referred to other Dutch transplant centres for geographical reasons. Four persons are still considering donation. Three persons decided not to donate.
Conclusion. The easily accessible website is well-used and has considerable reach. Potential donors and recipients gratefully use the possibility to interact with professionals. The website resulted in a substantial number of potential unspecified donors.
To cite this abstract in AMA style:
Slaats D, Zuidema W, Wetering Jvande, Hesselink D, Terkivatan T, Betjes M. Closing the Knowledge Gap: The Successful Launch of an Interactive Website Dedicated to Information on Living Kidney Donor Transplantation [abstract]. Am J Transplant. 2015; 15 (suppl 3). https://atcmeetingabstracts.com/abstract/closing-the-knowledge-gap-the-successful-launch-of-an-interactive-website-dedicated-to-information-on-living-kidney-donor-transplantation/. Accessed May 19, 2025.« Back to 2015 American Transplant Congress