I Would Do Whatever It Took": Understanding the Motivation, Education and Experiences of Kidney Paired Donation Participants

I Would Do Whatever It Took”: Understanding the Motivation, Education and Experiences of Kidney Paired Donation Participants

R. Pines¹, Y. A. Iraheta², L. Ambriz², K. A. Dahmani², E. H. Wood², M. Cooper³, A. D. Waterman²

¹Santa Barbara Cottage Hospital, Santa Barbara, CA, ²UCLA David Geffen School of Medicine, Los Angeles, CA, ³Medstar Georgetown Transplant Institute, Washington, DC

Meeting: 2021 American Transplant Congress

Abstract number: 1072

Keywords: Kidney transplantation, Living donor, Patient education, Psychosocial

Topic: Clinical Science » Kidney » Kidney Paired Exchange

Session Information

Session Name: Kidney Paired Exchange

Session Type: Poster Abstract

Session Date & Time: None. Available on demand.

Location: Virtual

*Purpose: To improve kidney paired donation (KPD) educational programs, we conducted semi-structured interviews to understand motivations of past recipients and donors to participate in KPD, the educational content received, and recommendations to better prepare participants, particularly those facing KPD challenges.

*Methods: We interviewed 43 KPD participants [25 living donors (64% white, 64% female; 18 recipients (44% white, 39% female)]. Data from open-ended questions were analyzed using thematic analysis. Descriptive statistics were run for quantitative items.

*Results: While deciding to participate in KPD was a systematic (i.e., logical, carefully considered) process for some, for most, it was a heuristic (i.e., quickly made, often emotion-based) process. Individuals became motivated to donate because of KPD’s ability to help multiple people obtain transplants and receive a transplant quickly. KPD educational content received varied, with recipients reporting receiving less information than donors on many topics (Table). Although most described the helpfulness of transplant coordinators, more review of KPD educational information provided from credible sources and the opportunity to speak to a former KPD participant were recommended. Those who faced KPD challenges requested more information about the financial protections and assistance that certain KPD programs may offer, and more psychological education and support during and after KPD.

*Conclusions: Educational content provided to donors and recipients about the risks and benefits of KPD varies. Standardized, health literate educational content about KPD that enables individuals considering KPD to learn from previous KPD participants may help increase informed decision making.

To cite this abstract in AMA style:

Pines R, Iraheta YA, Ambriz L, Dahmani KA, Wood EH, Cooper M, Waterman AD. I Would Do Whatever It Took”: Understanding the Motivation, Education and Experiences of Kidney Paired Donation Participants [abstract]. Am J Transplant. 2021; 21 (suppl 3). https://atcmeetingabstracts.com/abstract/i-would-do-whatever-it-took-understanding-the-motivation-education-and-experiences-of-kidney-paired-donation-participants/. Accessed May 11, 2025.

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