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During the congress, E-Posters will be accessible to all participants on the congress website 24/7, as well as in the E-poster stations in the congress center.
Preparing your E-Poster
Please review the E-Poster format requirements carefully when preparing your E-Poster. Should your E-Poster not meet the mentioned requirements, it may not be displayed as described above.
E-Poster Submission Deadline
Please prepare and upload your E-Poster no later than March 14, 2026 11.59PM CET. After this date, you will no longer be able to prepare and upload your E-poster and it will not be displayed and accessible on the congress website.
Please follow the instructions below to input your abstract title.
Abstract titles should be brief and reflect the content of the abstract.
Hemodialysis is a life-sustaining treatment for patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD). Indigenous peoples in Canada have a higher prevalence of chronic kidney disease (CKD) than the general population yet face significant disparities in health outcomes and access to care. Geographic isolation, socioeconomic factors, and limited educational resources contribute to these disparities. This study aimed to explore the barriers Indigenous patients experience in accessing dialysis treatment to inform culturally responsive interventions.
Participants were recruited from the Star Blanket Cree Nation, Saskatchewan, Canada. Qualitative data were collected through research sharing circle discussions, which were audio-recorded, transcribed, and analysed using thematic content analysis. Ethical approval was obtained and informed consent was secured from all participants.
Thematic analysis revealed multiple challenges to accessing dialysis care among Indigenous participants. Community members described significant barriers such as limited transportation options, long travel distances, and hazardous road conditions, particularly during the winter. Many participants expressed fear and emotional distress associated with dialysis, often shaped by traumatic personal or observed experiences with the treatment. Notable gaps in knowledge about kidney disease and dialysis contributed to delayed care and difficulty maintaining treatment adherence. Psychological challenges including feelings of hopelessness, vulnerability, or being a burden also emerged as common factors leading to missed dialysis sessions. Furthermore, systemic issues such as racial discrimination, miscommunication, and a lack of culturally safe care were identified as contributing to mistrust in healthcare providers. Despite these difficulties, participants emphasized the importance of reclaiming traditional knowledge, increasing culturally relevant educational outreach, and engaging younger generations to foster long-term kidney health and community resilience.
This study highlights the complex, interwoven factors that limit Indigenous patients' access to and use of dialysis and kidney care. Interventions must address transportation and healthcare access, while also investing in emotional support, culturally safe care, and community-driven education. Incorporating traditional knowledges and youth engagement strategies can foster long-term kidney health and support community resilience. These findings call for urgent, systemic efforts to close the kidney care gap for Indigenous communities in Canada.
