Analysis of hemodialysis patients thoughts about kidney transplantation and the national organ transplant system in terms of organ transplantation services management

Introduction: Kidney transplantation is the most effective treatment of end-stage renal failure. Although many patients continue to wait for a kidney transplant, there are constraints in organ supply. This situation needs to be analyzed and to be managed effectively. Objective: The objective of this study was to determine the status of information regarding kidney transplants provided to patients treated with hemodialysis, the patients’ thoughts regarding kidney transplants and the national organ transplant system as well as assessing their registration status at transplant centers. Methods: 273 patients receiving hemodialysis treatment at 4 private dialysis centers in Ankara/Turkey were evaluated within the scope of this descriptive study. The data were collected through a survey method. The survey consisted of 18 questions in total which had been developed by the authors. Results: It was determined that the hemodialysis patients responding to the survey were in the 20-95 age group with an average age of 58,64±15,64 years. 87,9% of the patients reported that they had been briefed about kidney transplants, 32,2% of those had been briefed said that the information had been delivered by the dialysis physician, 77,7% stated that they wanted a kidney transplant from a cadaver, 49,5% did not want a kidney transplant from a live donor and 35,5% indicated that the national organ transplant system operated adequately. Furthermore, it was noted that 50,9% of the responders were registered on the waiting lists of kidney transplant centers. Conclusions: It was concluded that it is necessary to provide sufficient information to hemodialysis patients about kidney transplants and the national organ transplant system to steer them to transplant centers. It is anticipated that the results of this study will assist officers of the Ministry of Health, politicians involved in health issues, decision makers and health professionals.