Educational Animations to Inform Transplant Candidates About Deceased Donor Kidney Options: An Efficacy Randomized Trial

Abstract

Background. Transplant candidates struggle making decisions about accepting kidneys with variable kidney donor profile index (KDPI) and increased risk donor (IRD) status. Methods. This single site, pilot randomized controlled trial evaluated the efficacy of 2 animations to improve KDPI/IRD knowledge, decisional self-efficacy, and willingness. Kidney candidates were randomly assigned to animation viewing plus standard nurse discussion (intervention) or standard nurse discussion alone (control). Linear regression was used to test the significance of animation exposure after controlling for covariates (α 85% willingness or distribution of KDPI/IRD decisional self-efficacy. Over 90% of participants provided positive ratings on each of 11 acceptability items. Conclusions. Supporting conventional IRD and KDPI education with educational animations can improve knowledge and IRD willingness compared with standard methods.