The providing resources to enhance African American patients' readiness to make decisions about kidney disease (PREPARED) study: protocol of a randomized controlled trial.
BACKGROUND
Living related kidney transplantation (LRT) is underutilized, particularly among African Americans. The effectiveness of informational and financial interventions to enhance informed decision-making among African Americans with end stage renal disease (ESRD) and improve rates of LRT is unknown.


METHODS
We report the protocol of the Providing Resources to Enhance African American Patients' Readiness to Make Decisions about Kidney Disease (PREPARED) Study, a two-phase study utilizing qualitative and quantitative research methods to design and test the effectiveness of informational (focused on shared decision-making) and financial interventions to overcome barriers to pursuit of LRT among African American patients and their families. Study Phase I involved the evidence-based development of informational materials as well as a financial intervention to enhance African American patients' and families' proficiency in shared decision-making regarding LRT. In Study Phase 2, we are currently conducting a randomized controlled trial in which patients with new-onset ESRD receive 1) usual dialysis care by their nephrologists, 2) the informational intervention (educational video and handbook), or 3) the informational intervention in addition to the option of participating in a live kidney donor financial assistance program. The primary outcome of the randomized controlled trial will include patients' self-reported rates of consideration of LRT (including family discussions of LRT, patient-physician discussions of LRT, and identification of a LRT donor).


CONCLUSIONS
Results from the PREPARED study will provide needed evidence on ways to enhance the decision to pursue LRT among African American patients with ESRD.
Welch Center for Prevention, Epidemiology and Clinical Research, Johns Hopkins Medical Institutions, 2024 E. Monument Street, Suite 2-600, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA.
Patti L
PL
Ephraim
Neil R
NR
Powe
Hamid
H
Rabb
Jessica
J
Ameling
Priscilla
P
Auguste
LaPricia
L
Lewis-Boyer
Raquel C
RC
Greer
Deidra C
DC
Crews
Tanjala S
TS
Purnell
Bernard G
BG
Jaar
Nicole
N
DePasquale
L Ebony
LE
Boulware
D001741:Black or African American / Q000193:education* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D001294:Attitude to Health; D015276:Health Care Rationing / Q000379:methods; D006801:Humans; D007258:Informed Consent / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D016030:Kidney Transplantation / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D019520:Living Donors; D010353:Patient Education as Topic / Q000379:methods*; D010358:Patient Participation / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D012107:Research Design; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology