Table 4 Identified themes in Dialysis Staff Responses Regarding Gender Disparities (Total Responses = 512)
Themes and Contributing Factors | N (%) | Selected Quotes |
|---|---|---|
Patient Factors | ||
 Family Obligations | 48 (9.3) | …less likely to access steps…due to the demanding nature of dual roles in life (mother, wife, sister, caretaker, etc.) |
 Lack of Family/Social/Emotional Support | 37 (7.1) | Needing a care partner |
 Fear | 28 (5.6) | Fear of who will take care of their families while they are getting the transplant |
 Medical Evaluation too Burdensome | 22 (4.2) | The process has too many steps |
 Lack of Education/Information | 15 (2.9) | Not understanding the transplant process |
 Body Image Concerns | 10 (1.9) | …body image with the impression of heavy scarring after surgery |
 Non-Compliance/Lack of Follow-Up | 11 (2.1) | Our main problem is compliance with dialysis and keeping appointments |
 Difficulty with Living Donor Inquiries | 8 (1.5) | I think females generally do not want to ‘take’ a kidney from someone else |
 Lack of Interest/Motivation | 6 (1.1) | Females seem to be less interested |
 Comfortable with Current Treatment | 6 (1.1) | …wanting to stay with what is working for them now (ie. hemodialysis) |
 Recovery Time Commitment | 4 (0.77) | Down time for the surgery is a major deterrent |
Financial Factors | ||
 Financial Issues | 45 (8.7) | ..females are often dependent on husbands and/or other family members to meet their financial needs. |
Logistical and Transportation Factors | ||
 Transportation Challenges | 17 (3.2) | Lack of independent transportation |
Clinical Factors | ||
 Weight Issues | 17 (3.2) | The challenges of losing weight seem to hinder more women than men in my experience |
Cultural Factors | ||
 Religious and Cultural Beliefs | 6 (1.1) | They (females) do not want someone else’s organ in their body |
Staff and Provider Factors | ||
 Disparity Not Observed | 76 (14.7) | Haven’t seen this an issue |
 Contributing Factors not Known | 74 (14.3) | Not sure about female disparities |
 No Contributing Factors | 39 (7.5) | None, have had many female patients receive a transplant |
 Staff Disagreed with Disparities | 23 (4.4) | Do not agree |
 Unaware of Gender Disparities | 16 (3.1) | Didn’t know this. It’s been my experience my female patients are following through with process |
 Discrimination/Gender Bias | 4 (0.77) | Healthcare geared towards men |
 Nephrologist Lack of Referral | 2 (0.38) | Lack of referrals |
Other Factors | ||
 Other Reasons | 2 (0.38) | Lack of prior experience in acting independently |