Factors affecting dialysis facilities' decisions on patient suitability for kidney transplantation
Official title: Multi-level Factors that Influence Dialysis Facilities' Assessments of Patient Suitability for Transplantation
Funded at Indiana University Indianapolis · NIH-11211193 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study looks at how dialysis centers decide if patients are ready for a kidney transplant, especially focusing on the challenges faced by people from underserved communities, and aims to make the process fairer so everyone has a better chance at receiving a transplant.
Quick facts
| Grant type | Career grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Indiana University Indianapolis NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Indianapolis, United States) |
| Project start | April 1, 2021 |
| Project end | February 28, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $146,963 |
| NIH project number | 7K01DK128384-05 |
| Project ID | NIH-11211193 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are patients with end-stage renal disease, particularly those from underserved racial and ethnic backgrounds or low-income individuals.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are not undergoing dialysis or those who are already on the transplant list may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates how dialysis facilities assess patients for kidney transplantation, particularly focusing on the complex medical and psychosocial evaluations that influence these decisions. It aims to understand the disparities faced by underserved racial and ethnic minorities and low-income individuals in accessing transplantation. By training a researcher in clinical nephrology and implementation science, the project seeks to improve the assessment processes and ultimately enhance treatment outcomes for patients with end-stage renal disease. The findings could lead to more equitable referral practices for transplantation.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could improve access to kidney transplantation for underserved populations, leading to better health outcomes.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has highlighted disparities in transplant access, indicating that addressing assessment processes could lead to meaningful improvements in patient outcomes.
Where this research is happening
-
Indiana University Indianapolis
Indianapolis, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Wilk, Adam Steven — Indiana University Indianapolis
- Study coordinator: Wilk, Adam Steven
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
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How dialysis facility growth affects care for people with end-stage kidney disease
New research will examine whether the spread of dialysis centers and new treatment technologies benefit patients with end-stage kidney disease, and whether benefits reach all communities.
-
MOVE Trial: Tailored motivational support to help African Americans stick with dialysis
A study tests a customized motivational interviewing approach to help African American dialysis patients stay adherent to their treatment, aiming to reduce hospitalizations and improve health.
-
Blood sugar monitoring for people on maintenance dialysis
This project tests how continuous glucose monitoring can better track blood sugar in people on dialysis to improve diabetes care and prevent complications.
-
Quality of life for people on home dialysis and their family caregivers
This grant studies how living with home dialysis affects daily life and the well-being of patients and their family caregivers.
-
Patient-provider conversations and unequal access to home dialysis and kidney transplant
This project explores how conversations between doctors and patients affect why some Black and Hispanic people with kidney disease don’t get home dialysis or preemptive kidney transplants as often as White or Asian patients.
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CHOOSE Home: Using community health workers to boost home dialysis and social care in CKD
A real-world trial tests adding community health workers to an interdisciplinary CKD clinic to help patients access home dialysis options.
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.