IMPROVING CONSENT VIA PATIENT SUPPORT GROUPS

 

 

Introduction

The number of people with Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) is increasing steadily in Saudi Arabia (KSA). Over 15,000 patients on dialysis and many waiting for a kidney transplant. In order to improve the quality of life for patients with CKD. For that, donor rates for transplant should be increased. Providing relevant information such as Empowers, Educates and Enables people with CKD. Renal transplant recipients, living organ donors and family members to become effective advocates on issues related to their health.  There is a significant challenge in KSA, with families that are reluctant to agree for living related, and cadaver donation. Due to the lack of education. Family’s personal views and social influence tend to interfere with obtaining consent.

Often a family member is willing to donate. However, the offer is rejected by the patient or other family members. On other hand, donation is religiously accepted in Islam. Therefore, because of an extensive waiting time, due to lack of donor consent (living and cadaver), many patients requiring transplants are willing to go outside KSA, where donors are more readily available, and consequences of the follow up may be significantly undesirable. Additional to that, this issues may affect the economy of our country.

  Outcome of support group

•        Patient’s families will start to understand why living related transplantation is good option.

•        This effort will increase the number of consents for living related donation.

•        Also, will increase the emotional attachment between donor and recipients.

Objectives of the support group

• To educate potential living donors and families regarding the benefits and risks of donation.
• To provide explanation regarding the need for transplant, the risk and the benefits and follow up care for all parties after transplantation.
• To increase the number of living donations by increasing, the awareness and understanding of the public.
• To obtain informed consent for living donation in order to facilitate the procedure for transplants.

 Team

1. Patient.
2. Patient family member.
3. Physician.
4. Psychologist.
5. Nurses.
6. Allied Health Worker.
7. Pharmacy.
8. Dietary.
9. Social Worker.
10. Both Admin and Clinic Transplant Coordinator.
11. Secretarial Support.

Process

1. Advertising
2. Facilities.
3. Culture.
4. Timing.
5. Group discussions.
6. Speakers (including previous donors).
7. Provide videos.
8. Pamphlets.
9. Sponsorship.

 

 Conclusion

•        Support groups is important for both patients and families.

•        Previous donors and their families are very useful sources of information for both the patients and potential living donors.

•        Increase awareness of kidney transplantation will be observed in the well-educated groups.

•        Many of these patients and families adopted an unofficial role as advocates for transplantation among their peers.

•        An enhanced emotional relationship between the patient and the donor will be noted to be an important additional benefit of Support Group.