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Educating the Less Prepared: Transplant Knowledge and Decision-Making Differences by Race at Onset of Evaluation

A. Waterman,1 J. Peipert,1 S. Brann,2 C. Kynard-Amerson,1 M. Robbins,3 A. Paiva,3 A. Gaber.2

1David Geffen School of Medicine, UCLA, Los Angeles, CA
2Methodist J.C. Walter Jr. Transplant Center, Houston, TX
3University of Rhode Island, Kingston, RI.

Meeting: 2015 American Transplant Congress

Abstract number: C36

Keywords: African-American, Hispanic, Kidney transplantation, Patient education

Session Information

Session Name: Poster Session C: Disparities in Healthcare Access

Session Type: Poster Session

Date: Monday, May 4, 2015

Session Time: 5:30pm-6:30pm

 Presentation Time: 5:30pm-6:30pm

Location: Exhibit Hall E

Racial minorities have higher rates of kidney failure than Whites but are less likely to receive kidney transplants. This study described each race/ethnic groups' level of transplant knowledge and decision-making then compared their knowledge and decision-making characteristics by race.

From 2013-2014, we surveyed 333 patients as they presented for transplant evaluation at two transplant centers in Los Angeles, CA and Houston, TX on their transplant knowledge, stage of readiness and confidence pursuing living and deceased donor kidney transplantation (LDKT and DDKT), and perceived Pros/Cons to LDKT/DDKT. Responses to knowledge and decision-making items were summed to create scales. We compared levels of these variables across patients of all races using ANOVA or chi-square tests. Finally, we adjusted for demographic/clinical variables in regression models of transplant knowledge, perceived Pros and Cons to transplant, and readiness and confidence to pursue DDKT and LDKT, with race as the primary predictor.

This patient sample was 30% Hispanic, 32% Black, and 38% White. On average, non-White patients had lower transplant knowledge and higher perceived Cons. In a linear regression model adjusting for gender, age, education level, and being on dialysis, Hispanics (b = -0.94; p=0.02) and Blacks (b = -0.97; p=0.005) had significantly lower transplant knowledge when first presenting for transplant evaluation compared to Whites. In a similar regression model, Hispanics (b = 2.35; p=0.02) and Blacks (b = 3.89; p<0.001) had higher perceived Cons to DDKT than Whites.

Higher scores = greater level of trait Hispanic n=100 Black n=108 White n=125
Transplant knowledge (0-15)*† 6.4 6.7 7.9
LDKT Pros (6-30) 25 25 25
LDKT Cons (6-30)* 20 19 18
LDKT confidence (6-30) 19 20 20
LDKT stage of readiness (% with lower readiness) 38% 47% 34%
DDKT Pros (6-30) 27 27 27
DDKT Cons (6-30)*† 20 20 15
DDKT confidence (8-40) 32 32 32
DDKT stage of readiness (% with lower readiness) 25% 34% 26%
*p-value for: White vs. Hispanic <0.01, † White vs. Black <0.01

Black and Hispanic patients may need educational programs that better address their knowledge gaps and fears when beginning evaluation. The adoption of these types of programs might prepare them better, thus increasing DDKT and LDKT rates for these ethnic/racial groups.

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To cite this abstract in AMA style:

Waterman A, Peipert J, Brann S, Kynard-Amerson C, Robbins M, Paiva A, Gaber A. Educating the Less Prepared: Transplant Knowledge and Decision-Making Differences by Race at Onset of Evaluation [abstract]. Am J Transplant. 2015; 15 (suppl 3). https://atcmeetingabstracts.com/abstract/educating-the-less-prepared-transplant-knowledge-and-decision-making-differences-by-race-at-onset-of-evaluation/. Accessed May 24, 2025.

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