Identifying the Views and Needs of Family Physicians on Providing Care to Living Kidney Donors: A Cross-Sectional Survey

Abstract

Optimizing the long-term care and follow-up of living kidney donors (LKDs) has been challenging, and prior LKDs have reported suboptimal healthcare experiences. Long-term care of LKDs is largely undertaken by primary care practitioners such as family physicians (FPs). We conducted a cross-sectional survey of Canadian FPs (n = 151). In our sample, 21.9% of participants reported that ≥1 patient had expressed interest in becoming a LKD, and 39.9% provided care to prior LKDs. While 55.5% knew how to find information on living kidney donation, 75.5% reported that information was not available in their practice. Only a minority had formal training in living kidney donation (<5%), and self-reported knowledge was low (median = 3 [scale 1 = not strong to 10 = very strong]). Knowledge improved significantly with educational activities, resources, experience, and practice needs. Attitudes toward living kidney donation were generally favorable with 71.5% stating that FPs should be involved in post-donation care. Clinical care guidelines (78.8%) were the most desired resource, followed by clear communication and reliable contact at transplant centers. Our findings inform the transplant community of an avenue to optimize LKD care by better-supporting FPs, who provide care to LKDs. This may enhance data collection on LKD outcomes and potentially increase donation rates.