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BMC Nephrology
Published in: BMC Nephrology 1/2015

Open Access 01-12-2015 | Study protocol

The TALKS study to improve communication, logistical, and financial barriers to live donor kidney transplantation in African Americans: protocol of a randomized clinical trial

Authors: Tara S. Strigo, Patti L. Ephraim, Iris Pounds, Felicia Hill-Briggs, Linda Darrell, Matthew Ellis, Debra Sudan, Hamid Rabb, Dorry Segev, Nae-Yuh Wang, Mary Kaiser, Margaret Falkovic, Jill F. Lebov, L. Ebony Boulware

Published in: BMC Nephrology | Issue 1/2015

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Abstract

Background

Live donor kidney transplantation (LDKT), an optimal therapy for many patients with end-stage kidney disease, is underutilized, particularly by African Americans. Potential recipient difficulties initiating and sustaining conversations about LDKT, identifying willing and medically eligible donors, and potential donors’ logistical and financial hurdles have been cited as potential contributors to race disparities in LDKT. Few interventions specifically targeting these factors have been tested.

Methods/Design

We report the protocol of the Talking about Living Kidney Donation Support (TALKS) study, a study designed to evaluate the effectiveness of behavioral, educational and financial assistance interventions to improve access to LDKT among African Americans on the deceased donor kidney transplant recipient waiting list. We adapted a previously tested educational and social worker intervention shown to improve consideration and pursuit of LDKT among patients and their family members for its use among patients on the kidney transplant waiting list. We also developed a financial assistance intervention to help potential donors overcome logistical and financial challenges they might face during the pursuit of live kidney donation. We will evaluate the effectiveness of these interventions by conducting a randomized controlled trial in which patients on the deceased donor waiting list receive 1) usual care while on the transplant waiting list, 2) the educational and social worker intervention, or 3) the educational and social worker intervention plus the option of participating in the financial assistance program. The primary outcome of the randomized controlled trial will measure potential recipients’ live kidney donor activation (a composite rate of live donor inquiries, completed new live donor evaluations, or live kidney donation) at 1 year.

Discussion

The TALKS study will rigorously assess the effectiveness of promising interventions to reduce race disparities in LDKT.

Trial registration

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Metadata
Title
The TALKS study to improve communication, logistical, and financial barriers to live donor kidney transplantation in African Americans: protocol of a randomized clinical trial
Authors
Tara S. Strigo
Patti L. Ephraim
Iris Pounds
Felicia Hill-Briggs
Linda Darrell
Matthew Ellis
Debra Sudan
Hamid Rabb
Dorry Segev
Nae-Yuh Wang
Mary Kaiser
Margaret Falkovic
Jill F. Lebov
L. Ebony Boulware
Publication date
01-12-2015
Publisher
BioMed Central
Published in
BMC Nephrology / Issue 1/2015
Electronic ISSN: 1471-2369
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1186/s12882-015-0153-y

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