[Human resources allocated to kidney transplantation in 2016 in France: A national survey]

Abstract

Following the publication of the ministerial action plan setting goals for the next five years, we performed a survey regarding the human resources and work organizations in the French renal transplant centers (n=33) on behalf of French speaking society of nephrology dialysis and transplantation (SFNDT). While the renal transplantation activity has been raising last years, we describe that the most active centers frequently resorted to an on-site nephrology guard and a surgeon dedicated to the transplantation activity, whereas only eight centers have a non restricted access to an operating room. Since 2002, the number of transplantations and follow-up visits performed by one nephrologist (full-time equivalent) have increased by 20 and 11%, respectively, while patient monitoring after transplantation is claimed to be shared with partner health centers in 94% of the transplant centers. Thus, the number of patients per nephrologist has increased when the active list exceeds 1150 patients in a center, e.g., 45% of centers in 2016 and 70% of centers in 2021 if the objectives are achieved. This survey also showed the stagnation of the specialized paramedical staff. Finally, the survey shows that the two main hurdles to the development of living donor transplantation are the availability of operating rooms and the lack of paramedical employees. In conclusion, this survey shows that an increase in the number of medical, surgical and paramedical staff will be necessary to achieve departmental objectives.

Keywords: Care organization; Donneur vivant; Enquête nationale; Living donor; National survey; Organisation des soins; Renal transplantation; Transplantation rénale.