ArticleBMC health services research2026
Exploring patient and provider narratives: a qualitative study identifying barriers in liver transplantation referral.
Article in BMC health services research, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.
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Abstract
backgroundChronic liver disease represents a significant public health burden in the US. Liver transplantation is the only life-saving option for patients with decompensated cirrhosis. Receiving transplantation is a multi-step process, beginning with referral. Barriers to CLD care and transplantation disproportionately affect medically underserved populations, including racial and ethnic minorities and individuals of low socioeconomic status. This study expands the limited research into liver transplantation referrals to identify systemic, interpersonal, and informational barriers.
methodsExpanding the limited research into barriers to liver transplantation referrals, this study examines experiences from both patients and providers. Semi-structured interviews of 15 patients and 11 providers across 10 different community gastroenterology practices in Indiana occurred and were transcribed verbatim. Data was analyzed using a six-phase framework for thematic analysis, conducted via HyperRESEARCH 4.5.2.
resultsPatient participants were majority male (n = 10) with 5 female participants, and an age range from 31 to 71 years (x̄ =55.3, SD = 13.1). Most patient participants identified as White/Caucasian (n = 11), while 4 identified as Black/African American, and 3 identified as Hispanic/Latino. Provider participants were comprised of 8 physicians, 2 nurse practitioners, and 1 physician assistant. All providers practiced specialties related to general or advanced GI care. The majority practiced in urban areas (n = 6), with the remainder in suburban (n = 3) or rural (n = 2) areas. Themes identify barriers such as long travel distances, appointment wait times, system communication challenges, limitations in provider tools for referral, and lack of support resources for patients.
conclusionsAddressing these barriers may expand liver transplantation referrals, especially among medically underserved communities and marginalized populations.
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