DNP Scholarly Projects
Knowledge and Attitudes Toward Renal Transplantation in Individuals Undergoing Transplant Evaluation
Abstract
Background: The underutilization of kidney transplant as the preferred treatment for end-stage renal disease is influenced by a lack of knowledge, poor attitudes toward transplantation, and various socio-demographic characteristics amongst the patient population. Negative attitudes toward renal transplant disengages the patient from the evaluation process and often hinders their likelihood of receiving a transplant. Purpose: The purpose of this scholarly project was to determine if patients undergoing transplant evaluation had more positive attitudes and greater levels of knowledge about renal transplantation after attending a standardized educational session. Project Design: This project was a cross-sectional study that utilized a pre-test/post-test design to assess attitudes and knowledge toward renal transplant before and after an educational session. Methods: The pre- and post-surveys were distributed to a convenience sample of 341 and 115 patients, respectively, between the months of September and December 2019. Results: Exposure to kidney transplant education resulted in greater levels of knowledge (p = .019, d = 0.334). The following socio-demographic characteristics were significantly associated with more negative baseline attitude scores: end-stage renal disease duration less than one year (p = .011, R2 = 0.943) and no college education (p = .048, d = 0.382). Conclusion: More longitudinal research should be utilized to explore how level of knowledge, attitudes toward transplant, and certain socio-demographic characteristics impact a patient’s intention to pursue kidney transplant. Uncovering reasons as to why certain populations of individuals have more negative baseline attitudes toward kidney transplant may also provide clinicians with valuable information on how pre-transplant education can be tailored to meet the needs of specific populations.
Date
Spring 4-4-2020
First Advisor
Jeannie Giese
Second Advisor
David Phillippi
Third Advisor
Elizabeth Hall
Scholarly Project Team Member
Deonna Moore
Department
Nursing, School of
College
Health Sciences & Nursing, Gordon E. Inman College of
Document Type
Scholarly Project
Degree
Doctorate of Nursing Practice (DNP)
Degree Level
Doctoral
Degree Grantor
Belmont University
Keywords
Attitudes, perceptions, willingness, knowledge, kidney transplant, renal transplant, transplant education, end-stage renal disease
Recommended Citation
Bruns, Cassandra; Giese, Jeannie; Phillippi, David; Moore, Deonna; and Hall, Elizabeth, "Knowledge and Attitudes Toward Renal Transplantation in Individuals Undergoing Transplant Evaluation" (2020). DNP Scholarly Projects. 26.
https://repository.belmont.edu/dnpscholarlyprojects/26
