Understanding how biases affect decisions on accepting kidneys for transplant
Official title: Assessing the impact of cognitive biases on patient and provider willingness to accept imperfect kidneys for transplantation
Funded at University of Wisconsin-Madison · NIH-11053002 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study looks at how our thoughts and feelings can affect the choices patients and doctors make about accepting kidneys for transplant, especially when some kidneys might not seem perfect but could still help people more than staying on dialysis, and it aims to find better ways to make these important decisions so fewer good kidneys go to waste.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Wisconsin-Madison NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Madison, United States) |
| Project start | January 15, 2025 |
| Project end | November 30, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $193,652 |
| NIH project number | 1K23DK139465-01A1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11053002 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research include patients on the kidney transplant waiting list who are being re-evaluated for their eligibility.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are not on the kidney transplant waiting list or those who have already received a transplant may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates how cognitive biases influence both patients and healthcare providers in their decisions to accept or decline kidneys for transplantation. It focuses on the reasons behind the high number of discarded kidneys, particularly those that are imperfect but still offer better outcomes than remaining on dialysis. By interviewing patients and analyzing physician behavior, the study aims to identify strategies that can improve decision-making processes and reduce the number of viable organs that go unused. The project spans five years and is designed to enhance understanding of the acceptance process in kidney transplantation.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to more kidneys being accepted for transplantation, improving survival rates for patients on dialysis.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has indicated that cognitive biases can significantly impact medical decision-making, suggesting that this approach may yield valuable insights.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Wisconsin-Madison
Madison, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Thiessen, Carrie — University of Wisconsin-Madison
- Study coordinator: Thiessen, Carrie
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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.