Barriers to liver transplant referral in safety net settings: A national provider survey.

Abstract

Safety net systems care for patients with a high burden of liver disease, yet experience many barriers to liver transplant (LT) referral. This study aimed to assess safety net providers' perspectives on barriers to LT referrals in the United States (US). We conducted a nationwide anonymous online survey of self-identified safety net gastroenterologists and hepatologists from March through November 2022. This 27-item survey was disseminated via e-mail, society platforms, and social media. Survey sections included practice characteristics, transplant referral practices, perceived multilevel barriers to referral, potential solutions, and respondent characteristics. 50 complete surveys were included in analysis. 60.0% of respondents self-identified as White, 54.0% male. 90.0% practiced in an urban setting, 82.0% in tertiary medical centers, and 16.0% in community settings with all four US regions represented. Perceived patient-level barriers ranked as most significant, followed by practice-level, then provider-level barriers. Patient-level barriers such as lack of insurance (72.0%), finances (66.0%), social support (66.0%), and stable housing/transportation (64.0%) were ranked as significant barriers to referral, while medical mistrust and lack of interest were not. Limited access to financial services (36.0%) and addiction/mental health resources (34.0%) were considered important practice-level barriers. Few reported existing access to patient navigators (12.0%), and patient navigation was ranked as most likely to improve referral practices, followed by an expedited/expanded pathway for insurance coverage for LT. In this national survey, safety net providers reported highest barriers to LT referral at the patient- and practice-level. These data can inform development of multilevel interventions in safety net settings to enhance equity in LT access for vulnerable patients.