A mixed methods investigation of the well-being of children with chronic kidney disease & their siblings

Project Summary

Young people living with chronic kidney disease (CKD) and their families deal with very challenging situations on a daily basis. Although past research had shown that children with chronic illnesses are at risk for a wide variety of difficulties in multiple areas of functioning, specific context in CKD population is still unknown. As well, the well-being of the parents and siblings of young people with CKD remain under-studied. Through this study, we are hoping to better understand the psychosocial difficulties, resilience and post-traumatic growth of young people with CKD and their family members through both quantitative and qualitative approaches.

This mixed methods study is being conducted by Dr. Caroline Pitrowski at the Children's Hospital Research Institute of Manitoba (CHRIM). BC Children's Hospital is a participating site, with Dr. Tom Blydt-Hansen as the site principal investigator.

Funding support from Children's Hospital Research Institute of Manitoba (CHRIM).

Project Status

Status: Active, pre-enrollment
Study Start Date: January 25, 2024
Study End Date: Ongoing

Study Enrollment Status: Active
Start Date: March 25, 2024
End Date: Ongoing

Project Team

Principal Investigator

Dr. Caroline Piotrowski

Co-Investigators

Dr. Tom Blydt-Hansen
Dr. Gina Rempel
Dr. Robin Erickson
Dr. Ashley Giesbrecht
Dr. Anne Kazak
Dr. Laura Rockman

Research Team Members

Yunan Li
Irene Chen
Isabella Parrotta
Minh Nguyen

Enrollment Eligibility Criteria
  1. Families with a child under 18 years old in BCCH renal clinic with stage 4 or 5 chronic kidney disease with at least one sibling between the age of 6-18 years.
  2. Families with a child under 18 years old who have been referred for or have recently undergone a kidney transplant (<1year) in the BCCH renal or transplant clinic with at least one sibling between the age of 6-18 years.
  3. Non kidney solid organ transplant patients seeking treatment at BC Children's Hospital.

For more information, email sotresearch@bcchr.ca.