Chinese Kidney Guide Project - Kidney Health Education and Research Group

Chinese Kidney Guide Project

Background

Chinese Canadian patients with end-stage kidney disease (ESKD) have a much lower likelihood to receive living donor kidney transplantation (LDKT) compared to Caucasian patients. Previous studies and our team’s preliminary data show that ethnic disparities in accessing kidney transplantation (KT) and LDKT do exist in Canada. Consequently, there is a great need to better understand the ethnocultural barriers that exist, and to apply this knowledge to developing culturally competent education tools in order to reduce ethnic inequalities in Canada. Studies have shown that tailored education improves KT knowledge and enhances access to KT and LDKT. However, current KT education materials in Ontario do not consider culture specific factors.

The Chinese Kidney Guide Project

We will explore cultural-related attitudes and beliefs about LDKT by conducting focus groups and interviews with Chinese-Canadians. We will also use our current Explore Transplant Ontario education program to identify educational needs of Chinese-Canadian patients and to collect feedback on how to adapt this education program specifically to Chinese Canadian patients. We will then produce a culturally competent education guide in Mandarin and Cantonese Chinese to inform patients about KT and LDKT. We will pilot test the guide among Chinese Canadian patients by assessing transplant knowledge and readiness before and after using the guide.

This study will be the first to assess and address ethnocultural barriers to KT among Chinese Canadian patients with ESKD and is an important step towards improved, culturally competent KT education in Ontario.
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