Affiliation:
1. Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences at the University at Buffalo Buffalo New York USA
2. Transplant and Kidney Care Regional Center of Excellence Erie County Medical Center Buffalo New York USA
3. Department of Surgery University at Buffalo Buffalo New York USA
4. Department of Epidemiology and Environmental Health University at Buffalo School of Public Health and Health Professions Buffalo New York USA
5. Department of Communication University at Buffalo Buffalo New York USA
Abstract
AbstractBackgroundWe previously developed web‐based education to be used by patients prior to kidney transplant (KTX) evaluation. The current feasibility study evaluated patients’ intervention uptake and barriers, and staff experiences of the clinic‐wide implementation in preparation for a definitive comparative effectiveness trial.MethodsWeb links and login instructions to view 17 educational videos designed to promote KTX access were delivered via email or text to adults referred to a single transplant center between 10/2020 and 3/2021. Patient barriers were recorded. Non‐completers were allowed to view the resources in the clinic. N = 7 clinic staff were interviewed about their experiences of in‐clinic delivery of the web‐education. Interviews were recorded with field notes and coded using simple content analysis. Patient characteristics and 30‐month KTX access were examined with Chi‐square, t‐tests, and log‐rank tests.ResultsOf 210 patients, 71% completed the self‐education remotely (completers), 16% attempted but did not complete remotely (attempters), and 13% declined the web link invitation (decliners). Implementation barriers included technology access and use difficulties, unstable internet connectivity, limited staff time in clinic to facilitate technology use by patients, and limited technology attentiveness by patients in clinic. In 3‐group comparisons, remote decliners were older with worse estimated posttransplant survival scores, and attempters were younger, more often Medicaid insured, and lived in higher area deprivation; both were more often deemed ineligible for KTX than completers. Between‐group time‐to‐transplantation was non‐significant (p = .571).ConclusionThe majority of patients accessed the web‐education remotely; however, more vulnerable demographic populations reported greater problems accessing web‐education. In‐clinic delivery was burdensome to staff and patients. Future adaptive implementation strategies are needed to allow for adequate patient education.