Project Title:
Assessing Dialysis Transportation Needs in Rural and Small Urban Transit Systems

Project Objective:
In order to meet the growing demand for paratransit service, transit managers are trying to work closely with planners and treatment centers to ensure that dialysis patients have access to safe and reliable transportation. The purpose of this research is to develop a methodology to help transit managers assess the availability and quality of current dialysis transport. This methodology will also provide service quality information so that transit managers, in conjunction with local health care providers, can plan transport service improvements and forecast capacity requirements.

Project Abstract:
In a number of small urban and rural areas in North Carolina, a significant portion of dialysis patients depend on public transport to travel to and from their medical appointments. With the “Graying of America,” the number of such patients is expected to increase. This study will develop a methodology that helps managers of small urban and rural transit systems, in conjunction with local health care providers, to assess current and future needs of dialysis patients requiring their services. The methodology will not only enable managers to investigate the availability and quality of existing dialysis transport but will also help them improve transit service quality and plan expansions in transit system capacity.

Technology Transfer Activities:
Technology transfer will take place throughout this project. Initially, technology transfer will occur as the Principal Investigators work with Ms. Hawley in developing the surveys.  Additional technology transfer will take place as the Principal Investigators pre-test and revise the surveys in consultation with Ms. Hawley, participating transit managers, and dialysis social workers. Further technology transfer will occur when the transit managers and the dialysis social workers complete the revised survey instruments. Broader technology transfer will take place when the managers of small urban and rural systems receive the analysis of the survey results from the Principal Investigators. Finally, results from this study will be presented at regional conferences. As they have done this past year, the Principal Investigators will continue to disseminate their findings through the newsletter of the North Carolina Public Transit Association (NCPTA) as well as making the results available to NCPTA members in an electronic format.

Potential Benefits of the Project:
The methodology to be developed during this research project represents a hands-on approach for providing dialysis patients transit service that is both accessible and of high quality. As such, it must help the transit manager to: 1) determine the number of current patients that require a better means of transportation to treatment; and 2) estimate future demand for dialysis transport. At the same time, it must enable the manager to identify, analyze and correct current problems in all aspects of transport service delivery.