Can a Social Work Intervention Reduce Kidney Donor Anxiety? A Pilot Test

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to explore the effect of social work counseling on kidney donor anxiety in Nadiad, Gujarat, India. Thirty potential kidney donors were selected to receive counseling by a nephrology social worker during the kidney donation process, and 30 potential kidney donors were selected for a control group that did not receive counseling beyond the usual course of care. Anxiety was measured using the Comprehensive Anxiety Test. The group that received counseling from a social worker had a statistically significant decrease in their comprehensive anxiety, which was measured prior to kidney donation and at six months after kidney donation, when compared to the control group. These results suggest that counseling by a nephrology social worker during the kidney donation process may lower donor anxiety. This study and future research may help more kidney disease patients receive kidney transplants from living donors in India and beyond.