Publication year: 2011
Source: Social Science & Medicine, In Press, Accepted Manuscript, Available online 19 July 2011
Teri, Browne
Research has shown that black dialysis patients in the United States are significantly less likely than their white peers to be evaluated and listed for a kidney transplant. Extrapolating from social network theory, I hypothesize that a lack of access to social contacts with information about kidney transplantation may hinder information transaction regarding the benefits of, and pathway to, transplantation. In 2007-2008, the following research questions were addressed in an investigation in Chicago, USA: (1) What is the role of social networks in providing information about kidney transplantation to black hemodialysis patients? (2) What is the relationship between social networks…