Researchers at Royal Brisbane and Women's Hospital (RBWH) are partnering with Pasifika kidney transplant recipients to design culturally appropriate resources that make the transplant journey easier to understand and navigate. 

Rather than assuming what patients need, the project places the experiences of people from the Pacific Islands at its centre - learning directly from those who have been through transplantation to understand what helped, what barriers they faced and how care can better reflect their culture, values and lived experience. 

The insights will be used to develop practical resources that strengthen trust, improve communication and support more equitable access to life-changing care.

For people living with kidney failure, a transplant offers the best chance of a longer, healthier life. Yet despite experiencing high rates of kidney disease, Pasifika people remain underrepresented in transplant programs. 

Many patients must navigate complex health systems without culturally appropriate information or support. Language differences, varying cultural expectations and misunderstandings between patients and healthcare providers can make it harder to engage with treatment, delaying access to transplantation and contributing to poorer health outcomes. 

This project recognises that the people best placed to improve the system are those who have experienced it themselves. 

Working alongside Pasifika transplant recipients, researchers will co-design practical resources that reflect community values, improve cultural safety and help future patients better understand every stage of the transplant journey - from assessment through to long-term care. 

By making care more culturally responsive and easier to navigate, the project aims to improve patient confidence, strengthen relationships between healthcare teams and Pasifika communities, and help more people access life-changing kidney transplants sooner.