Creating a Culturally Sensitive Report Card for African American Kidney Transplant Candidates: Preliminary Results from Pilot Interviews and Focus Groups

W. T. McKinney¹, M. Bruin², B. Kasiske³, A. Matas⁴, A. K. Israni³

¹Hennepin Healthcare Research Institute, Minneapolis, MN, ²College of Design, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, ³Nephrology, Hennepin Healthcare, Minneapolis, MN, ⁴Department of Surgery, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN

Meeting: 2021 American Transplant Congress

Abstract number: 1270

Keywords: African-American, Kidney transplantation, Patient education

Topic: Clinical Science » Organ Inclusive » Non-Organ Specific: Disparities to Outcome and Access to Healthcare

Session Information

Session Name: Non-Organ Specific: Disparities to Outcome and Access to Healthcare

Session Type: Poster Abstract

Session Date & Time: None. Available on demand.

Location: Virtual

*Purpose: Racial disparities in kidney transplantation continue to negatively impact African American (AA) patients despite changes to deceased donor allocation practices. AA patients are overrepresented on the waitlist for kidney transplant, face longer wait times, and worse post-transplant outcomes when compared to other communities. Today, AA patients are often unaware of how transplant programs differ and how patient-characteristics influence access to transplant. We aim to evaluate the utility of the patient-specific search of Scientific Registry of Transplant Recipients (SRTR) reports for AA patients, develop a mockup of a culturally sensitive report card, and assess effects the report card has on decision making.

*Methods: Pilot interviews and focus groups with AA kidney transplant candidates were structured to collect feedback on the patient-specific search and to inform the development of the culturally sensitive report card (Figure 1). Discussions encouraged participants to consider how the patient-specific search can better serve AA candidates and how to disseminate the tool most effectively to AA patients and stakeholders.

*Results: Participant feedback on the patient-specific search was largely positive. Multiple participants indicated that the patient-specific search effectively communicated variations between transplant programs and provided needed information on the availability of specific donor options. At the same time, participants reported that the addition of narratives from AA patients and information on racial disparities would improve the tool’s sensitivity to their health needs. Additional themes related to limitations in existing patient education and support practices emerged alongside reflections on the tool and emphasize the potential benefit of improving the accessibility and use of patient-specific tools in consultation with providers and for personal use (Table 1).

*Conclusions: Preliminary feedback from pilot interviews identified multiple suggestions for how to improve the accessibility and cultural sensitivity of the patient-specific search. Mock-ups incorporating these suggestions will be evaluated by patients and family members in future focus groups.

To cite this abstract in AMA style:

McKinney WT, Bruin M, Kasiske B, Matas A, Israni AK. Creating a Culturally Sensitive Report Card for African American Kidney Transplant Candidates: Preliminary Results from Pilot Interviews and Focus Groups [abstract]. Am J Transplant. 2021; 21 (suppl 3). https://atcmeetingabstracts.com/abstract/creating-a-culturally-sensitive-report-card-for-african-american-kidney-transplant-candidates-preliminary-results-from-pilot-interviews-and-focus-groups/. Accessed May 11, 2025.

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