Project Summary
Addressing critical issues and TheRapEutics in TrAnsplanTation for COVID-19
(TREAT-COVID)
Transplant recipients are at high risk of severe COVID-19 outcomes, and little is known about effective strategies to support recovery of quality of life in these individuals and their families. The Canadian Donation Transplantation Research Program (CDTRP) has developed an agile, national framework to address urgent and emerging issues, incorporating priorities of clinicians, researchers, and patients/families. The adaptive design will assess the safety, efficacy, and cost-effectiveness of in transplant patients, considering short- and long-term clinical outcomes, and other outcomes critical to patients and their families, including mental health, life participation, and financial burden.
Although some transplant recipients have contracted COVID-19 without having severe outcomes, others are still experiencing very serious illness. Others have had COVID-19 and are struggling to get back their quality of life and wellness. Sometimes it is the mental health of family members that is a major issue. We need to learn from your experience so we can implement better support and resources for patients and their families.
We've heard from the transplant community that challenges patients/families/caregivers are experiencing include:
- Anxiety/fear/depression
- Lack of information or information overload
- Social isolation
- Dissatisfaction with government and healthcare policy
- Impacts on family life
- Disappointment and anger
We know these past few years may be hard to talk about. COVID has made many in the transplant community feel powerless, even abandoned. This research is one way we can work together for change.
Aims
- Assess COVID-19 prophylactic/therapeutic safety and effectiveness in transplant patients
- Assess mental health impacts of COVID-19 on transplant patients and families, and develop strategies to improve well-being
- Determine the economic burden and value of emerging and existing prophylactic/therapeutic options for COVID-19 in transplant patients
Implications
As a study participant, you will be asked to complete online questionnaires every three months for up to two years . As a transplant recipient, if you get COVID-19, you and your family member will be asked to complete additional questions on receiving treatments, your mental health and wellness, and your financial situation.
Additionally, this study offers the opportunity to subscribe for regular updates on our progress. We welcome feedback from participants about whether the study is delivering results that are helpful for you.