Communication Skills Training for Kidney Transplant

(EPPComm Trial)

Not yet recruiting at 1 trial location

Overseen By Joie D Cooper, MS

Age: 18+

Sex: Any

Trial Phase: Academic

Sponsor: Temple University

Disqualifiers: Non-verbal, Listed for transplant, Others

No Placebo Group All trial participants will receive the active study treatment (no placebo)

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: 2

What You Need to Know Before You Apply

What is the purpose of this trial?

This trial aims to improve communication between kidney transplant providers and Black and Caucasian patients during evaluations. It explores how various communication styles affect the outcomes of live donor kidney transplants. The goal is to develop a training program, EPPComm Provider Training, to enhance provider communication and ultimately improve transplant outcomes. Suitable participants are Black or Caucasian English speakers attending a kidney transplant evaluation at specific hospitals. As an unphased trial, this study offers participants the chance to contribute to groundbreaking research that could enhance communication and improve transplant success rates.

Will I have to stop taking my current medications?

The trial information does not specify whether you need to stop taking your current medications. It seems focused on communication during transplant evaluations, so it's best to ask the trial coordinators for specific guidance on medications.

What prior data suggests that this communication skills training is safe for transplant providers?

Research has shown that communication skills training, such as the EPPComm Provider Training, is generally safe for participants. This training helps healthcare providers improve their communication with patients. No reports of negative effects from this type of training exist. Participants can expect a safe experience, as the program focuses on enhancing communication rather than involving medical or physical procedures. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Why are researchers excited about this trial?

Researchers are excited about the EPPComm Provider Training because it focuses on enhancing communication skills among kidney transplant providers, which is a new approach compared to traditional treatments that primarily focus on medical management. This training is designed to be highly engaging and interactive, lasting just 60 minutes in person, which makes it a practical and efficient tool for busy healthcare professionals. By improving communication, the goal is to enhance patient-provider interactions, potentially leading to better patient outcomes and satisfaction with their care.

What evidence suggests that this communication skills training is effective for improving transplant consultations?

Research has shown that training doctors in communication skills improves their interactions with patients, particularly those undergoing kidney transplants. Studies have found that this training helps doctors convey important information more clearly and supports patients in understanding and managing their condition. Better communication can also enhance decision-making during the transplant process. In this trial, participating transplant providers will undergo EPPComm Provider Training, a highly engaging and interactive 60-minute, in-person communication skills program. This training aims to enhance interactions between transplant providers and patients, potentially increasing the number of successful living donor kidney transplants. Overall, evidence suggests that better communication leads to improved outcomes in kidney transplant cases. ^{1 6 7 8 9}

Who Is on the Research Team?

Francis Weng, MD

Principal Investigator

St. Barnabas Medical Center

Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?

This trial is for Black or Caucasian adults who speak English and are being evaluated for a kidney transplant at specific hospitals. It includes patients with limited English if they use a translator, but not those treated offsite or who've had previous transplants. Transplant team members involved in patient evaluations can also participate unless they decline audio recording of consultations.

Inclusion Criteria

Appear for a kidney transplant evaluation at Cooperman Barnabas Medical Center (CBMC) or Temple University Hospital (TUH)

Be of self-reported Black or Caucasian ethnicity

Patients evaluated at offsite satellite locations that are not actually at CBMC or TUHS

Exclusion Criteria

Are already listed for kidney transplant at CBMC or TUHS or at another transplant center

Patients having received an offer to donate a kidney from a family member or friend, or explicitly asked a family member or friend to consider serving as a LD

Adults unable to consent, individuals who are not yet adults (infants, children, teenagers), prisoners, and individuals who do not understand English

Timeline for a Trial Participant

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

2-4 weeks

Transplant Evaluation Consultation

Participants undergo transplant evaluation consultations to assess communication factors and patient-reported outcomes

1 day

1 visit (in-person)

Communication Skills Training

Transplant providers participate in a 60-minute, in-person communication skills training program

1 day

1 visit (in-person)

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for living donor inquiries, evaluations, and transplants

4 years

What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?

Interventions

• EPPComm Provider Training

Trial Overview

The study aims to improve how transplant providers communicate with patients about living donor kidney transplants. It will record consultations, survey participants, and then train providers based on these insights. The effect of this training on the number of living donor inquiries, evaluations, and actual transplants will be measured.

How Is the Trial Designed?

Group I: EPPCom Provider Training Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

A highly engaging and interactive 60-minute, in-person communication skills training program will be developed as part of this project. Participating transplant providers will complete a brief online survey before (pre) and after (post) participating in the training.

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

Temple University

Lead Sponsor

Trials

321

Recruited

89,100+

Cooperman Barnabas Medical Center

Collaborator

Trials

2

Recruited

570+

St. Barnabas Medical Center

Collaborator

Trials

13

Recruited

2,800+

Published Research Related to This Trial

A review of 23 studies highlighted that healthcare professionals face challenges in effectively disclosing adverse events, indicating a need for better communication strategies and training.

Implementing specific interpersonal communication skills and fostering an open organizational culture can help healthcare professionals provide more effective and tailored disclosures to patients.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Disclosing Adverse Events in Clinical Practice: The Delicate Act of Being Open. Myren, BJ., de Hullu, JA., Bastiaans, S., et al.[2022]

Citations

1.

withpower.com

withpower.com/trial/phase-chronic-kidney-disease-ckd-2024-07c29

Communication Skills Training for Kidney Transplant · Info ...

What data supports the effectiveness of the treatment EPPComm Provider Training for improving communication skills in kidney transplant patients? Research ...

2.

reporter.nih.gov

reporter.nih.gov/search/I_bJWIRR_0Kb3TKRVha0zw/project-details/11125765

Improving Utilization of Live Donor Kidney Transplant ...

We will use these findings to inform the development of a communication skills training for transplant providers and test the impact of the training on ...

3.

pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12165906/

Patient-physician communication in advanced kidney ...

Communication skill training improves physicians' ability to communicate effectively, assist patients in adjusting to their illness, and even ...

4.

clinicaltrials.gov

clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT01853007

Communicating About Choices in Transplantation (COACH)

The purpose of this study is to test the impact of a newly developed educational program on kidney transplant candidates' communication about living and ...

5.

bmcmededuc.biomedcentral.com

bmcmededuc.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12909-022-03458-9

Effectiveness of end-stage renal disease communication skills ...

This study aims to examine the effectiveness of online ESRD communication skills training (CST) concerning the truth-telling confidence and shared decision- ...

6.

reporter.nih.gov

reporter.nih.gov/search/14E9CE024F8FC5D27598B8961CAA4A01A2FFCEB861BF/project-details/10926966

RePORT ⟩ RePORTER

We're sorry but RePORTER doesn't work properly without JavaScript enabled. Please enable it to continue.

7.

pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11298174/

Video Education and Behavior Contract to Improve Outcomes ...

We tested whether a feasible adherence intervention could be of benefit in de novo kidney transplant recipients. An autonomous goal setting ...

8.

kidneynews.org

kidneynews.org/view/journals/kidney-news/14/9/article-p27_19.xml

Advanced Practice Providers in Transplant Nephrology in

In the 2022 National Kidney Foundation/Council of Advanced Practitioners survey, 25% of nephrology APPs reported managing outpatient transplant patients (4).

9.

pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4469189/

Safety Events in Kidney Transplant Recipients

Kidney transplant recipients are at increased risk for adverse safety events related to their reduced renal function and many medications.