Transplant Friends: an interactive education program for patients awaiting kidney transplantation

BACKGROUND: Organ transplantation is the preferred treatment for end-stage renal disease. Renal transplant recipients are surviving longer with a better quality of life. Although many hospitals have transplant education programs in place, transplant patients indicate that there is a need for additional information. Transplant Friends is a program designed to meet these needs. PATIENTS AND METHODS: At the University of Alberta, 128 patients attended the Transplant Friends program between September 2002 and February 2003. Each patient completed an evaluation form consisting of 15 questions designed to evaluate patient's satisfaction regarding session content, ease of scheduling, and the sessions facilitators. Responses were recorded using 5-point Likert scales. RESULTS: All 128 participants completed the questionnaires. The predominantly male (59.1%) and Caucasian (91.6%) population had a median age of 49.1 years. Of the 128 patients, 110 patients (86%) felt that the content of the program met or exceeded their expectations; 120 patients (94%) felt the program facilitators met or exceeded their expectations; and 113 patients (88%) evaluated the scheduling favorably. CONCLUSION: Patients require complete information prior to renal transplantation to make an informed decision about whether to proceed with transplant as well as to enhance the overall transplant experience. Patients evaluated the Transplant Friends program as successfully meeting these needs through a comprehensive interactive teaching program. We recommend that institutions performing renal transplants incorporate an educational program such as Transplant Friends during the workup process of this unique patient population.