Western researchers chart new approach to improving kidney transplant access

The trial encompassed all 26 renal care facilities in Ontario dedicated to advanced treatment of chronic kidney disease. (YuriArcursPeopleimages/Envatoelements) According to nephrologist Dr. Amit Garg , for those with advanced chronic kidney disease, the treatment options are stark: continuous dialysis or a kidney transplant to survive. "A kidney transplant not only gives a patient up to a decade of longer life and quality of life, but data also shows that every 100 kidney transplant procedures save the health-care system a staggering $20 million over five years by sidelining dialysis costs. And, kidneys from living donors compared to deceased donors further amplify these benefits," said Garg, who is associate dean, clinical research at Western University's Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry and clinician-scientist at Lawson Health Research Institute and London Health Sciences Centre. "Yet, due to many barriers, many eligible patients never receive a transplant." Garg and a multidisciplinary team of clinicians and researchers developed a potential solution with the goal of helping patients navigate barriers and enhance their access to kidney transplant and living kidney donations. Co-designed by a diverse group of health-care stakeholders, including patients, the solution focused on improving four pivotal components: administrative assistance, education, peer support and progress monitoring. The intervention, called Enhance Access to Kidney Transplantation and Living Kidney Donation (EnAKT LKD), was tested in a unique province-wide clinical trial, embedded within routine care settings and studied using existing real-world data.