Kidney Week 2025 Early Program - Care of Kidney Transplant Candidates and Recipients-Helping Kidney Transplant Candidates with Socioeconomic Barriers Find Solutions

Helping Kidney Transplant Candidates with Socioeconomic Barriers Find Solutions

Video Transcription

Video Summary

Dr. Farooq discusses how socioeconomic barriers derail kidney transplant candidates, illustrated by a patient returning 18 months after evaluation having started dialysis with “nothing done.” Lower socioeconomic status is linked to fewer preemptive transplants. Key barriers include transportation, distance, low health literacy, and poor understanding of the process, compounded by language and interpreter quality issues. Proposed solutions include satellite evaluation clinics, telemedicine, literacy- and language-tailored education and myth-busting, and better coordination between dialysis and transplant teams. Effective models include “fast track” navigation programs, the STEP intervention (social work outreach, education, coordinator support), volunteer “Kidney Companions,” and community health workers. Sustained funding and policy support are essential.

Asset Subtitle

Samira Farouk

Meta Tag

Module TRX

Speaker Samira Farouk

Keywords

socioeconomic barriers to kidney transplantation

preemptive kidney transplant disparities

transplant evaluation access (transportation and distance)

health literacy and language interpreter issues

patient navigation programs (STEP intervention, Kidney Companions, community health workers)