Rural-to-Urban Relocation for Organ Transplants in British Columbia: Patient Experience and Cost
- Logistics
- Virtual
- Anticipated time commitment
- 1.5-2 hours
- Application deadline
- Type of Organ
- Heart, Kidney, Liver, Lung
- Opportunity Type
- Research Participant
- Theme
- T1 - Culture of Donation
Rural patients in need of solid organ transplants face financial difficulties due to the expenses associated with accommodation, transportation and food costs when relocating to Vancouver for their transplant.
Often, patients must relocate at a moment’s notice due to the nature of organ transplant operations. In a city with one of the highest costs of living in Canada and a vacancy rate of 0.9%1, patients and their families face considerable challenges finding housing and experience stress with the associated costs.
The purpose of this study is to develop an understanding of the out-of-pocket costs of rural solid organ transplant patients from British Columbia and their caregivers coming to Vancouver for transplant care to support advocacy efforts.
The study has two parts.
- We are doing interviews with rural transplant recipients who have received a solid organ transplant within the last 5 years or are on the waitlist for a transplant and those who have provided care to transplant patients.
- We are also conducting an online survey to learn more about the out-of-pocket costs of patients and their caregivers.
The data collected will be used to advocate for policy change in the next provincial election cycle to ensure rural solid organ transplant patients do not face barriers to accessing life-saving treatment due to financial obstacles.
Visit our study website: https://crhr.med.ubc.ca/current-projects/rural-to-urban-relocation-for-lung-transplant/
Complete survey here: https://ubc.ca1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_3lbFievmDNTdTsq
Experience required
PFD partners for this study should have the following experience:
- Recipient of solid organ transplant within the last 5 years or on the waitlist for a solid organ transplant.
- At least 19 years of age at the time of transplant or placement on the transplant waitlist.
- Residing at least 60 minutes outside of the Lower Mainland, within British Columbia
- Or family member or friend caregivers of rural solid organ transplant recipients or people on the solid organ transplant waitlist
Potential roles for PFD Partners
PFD partners can participate in the study in two ways.
- PFD partners can engage as interview participants. We are interviewing rural solid organ transplant recipients, rural patients on the solid organ transplant waitlist, and their family member or friend caregivers.
- The interviews will take 30-60 minutes and will occur virtually. We are hoping to interview 20 participants total.
- PFD partners can also engage in the research as survey participants. The survey will take at least an hour to complete. We are hoping to have 200 survey responses.
Reimbursement
Each interview participant will receive a $40 Amazon gift card. Each survey participant can enter into a draw for one of three $100 Amazon gift cards.
How to get in touch
- Name
- Michee-Ana Hamilton
- Job title
- Evaluation Coordinator
- Phone
- 604-499-4366
If you meet the eligibility criteria, please complete the survey here: https://ubc.ca1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_3lbFievmDNTdTsq