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G Randhawa

Publications and source records attributed to G Randhawa.

25 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

Informing the UK's South Asian communities on organ donation and transplantation.

There is a growing demand for human organs for transplantation, particularly of the kidney among the UK's South Asian population which, due to problems with histocompatibility can only be met with a significant increase in the number of Asian donors. Specific attempts have only recently been made to attract donors from South Asian communities using 'ethnically-targeted mass media'. A recent pilot study sought to evaluate the effectiveness of these initiatives in providing information with regards to organ donation for the South Asian population. The findings show that detailed information related to transplantation activity had been learned only through the experience of people undergoing transplants within the community and has been transmitted through various informal networks rather than through the resources provided by the Department of Health. This paper provides an overview of who the South Asians are and how these community networks were established.

Community Networks↗

The UK's Asian population: solving the transplant crisis.

The United Kingdom Transplant Authority has recently re-introduced a policy to identify the ethnicity of patients. This is in response to the realisation byTransplant Co-ordinators and other health professionals in the field that a number of disparities existed between Asian residents and the indigenous population. The limited data that exists highlights that the Asian population are in a disproportionately greater need of kidney transplants. The situation is clear, there needs to be a greater number of donors coming forward from the Asian communities to increase the pool of suitable organs. However, this may only be achieved if we understand the reasons for the current lack of supply. Very little empirical research has been devoted to this subject and those studies, which have been carried out, highlight the need for greater attention to this life-threatening problem.

Asia↗

The challenge of kidney transplantation among minority ethnic groups in the UK.

The increased rate of renal failure secondary to diabetes among minority ethnic groups compared to Caucasians in the UK has been well documented. However, the impact of this phenomenon on kidney transplant services has been relatively unexplored. The Government has recently published its 'Tackling Health Inequalities: A Programme for Action' report which emphasises the importance of reducing health inequalities at all levels of the health service. This article provides a timely review of the UK's national transplant database examining the provision of kidney transplant services to minority ethnic groups in the United Kingdom. It seeks to explore the demographics of the database by focusing upon waiting list data, donor data, and recipient data. Inequalities do currently exist in transplant services and the solutions to rectifying this situation are complex. However, the financial and human burden of not addressing these inequalities encourages some immediate action.

ABO Blood-Group System↗

Enhancing the health professional's role in requesting transplant organs.

The shortfall in organs for transplant continues in the UK. To address this problem, methods of organ procurement are continuously widening with the recent development of protocols in elective ventilation and non-heart beating donors. Until recently, the nurse's role in the success of organ procurement was largely limited to those working in intensive care units involved in cadaveric transplant and community-based nurses working with patients on kidney dialysis who may become involved with live related transplant. Involvement in organ procurement has now extended to nurses working in general wards and accident and emergency centres. It is imperative that health professionals are aware of the large numbers of patients for whom donors have not been found. They need to be aware of the possible reasons which deter relatives from giving consent for potential donors and prevent relatives themselves from becoming potential live donors. Those who are involved in the organ request process need to be alerted to the factors that affect the decision to give consent. It is hoped that these efforts will help to reduce the drastic shortage of available organs for transplant in the UK.

Family↗

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Attitude of Health Personnel↗

Organ donation: social and cultural issues.

This article explores the social and cultural issues surrounding the donation of organs for transplantation. With the increasing shortage of suitable organs, the author suggests that healthcare professionals should be more aware of such issues when discussing transplantation with potential donors or their families and highlights the need for a national information campaign.

Cultural Characteristics↗

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Attitude of Health Personnel↗