Back
The management of migrants suffering from kidney failure (MKF) without medical insurance coverage raises complex medical, social, financial and ethical issues. Multiple geopolitical crises over the last decade have intensified the migration of patients with KF to Europe. The survey was devised to investigate i) current practices surrounding the management of MKF, focusing on kidney replacement therapy (KRT), and ii) the perspective of European nephrologists on ethical dilemmas and optimal care for this population.
The questionnaire was developed and piloted by the International Society of Nephrology (ISN) Western Europe Regional Board, together with members of the Young Nephrologists’ Platform (YNP) of the European Renal Association (ERA). The survey was disseminated by email to European members of the ISN, and through personal networks of ISN and YNP members. The link to the survey was published on the ISN website. Respondents were board certified nephrologists. The survey was open from July 3th 2023 until 29th of September 2023 and responses were collected using SurveyMonkey.
A majority of European nephrologists is strongly committed to the management of MKF patients. Multiple barriers impede the delivery of optimal care to this population of patients, many of which are reversible.