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DSW Showcase Student Presentation

Bridget Autin

LMSW

Healthcare Disparities in Black American ESRD Patients: Acknowledging Root Causes and Creating Synergistic Solutions Through Community Engagement

Concentration -

  • Monday, April 28, 2025 -
  • 1:00 pm
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Abstract

This presentation includes a systematic literature review (SLR), conceptual paper, and practice application paper intended to illuminate barriers to equitable outcomes for Black end-stage renal disease (ESRD) patients in the United States. There is a wealth of literature seeking to investigate and explain the reasons for inequities in Nephrology, much of which is centered around biological, genetic, and individual behavioral factors. The direction of this research has shifted to social determinants of health (SDOH) as the cause of poor outcomes in this population. Social determinants of health are defined by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) (2024) as non-medical factors that influence healthcare outcomes, like access to quality healthcare and education, financial standing, neighborhood environment, and social context. Within the SLR, the scholar details the impact of disparities in treatment outcomes due to access to resources through an SDOH lens. This research identifies disparities in outcomes in access to transplant, engagement in home modality treatment, and the ability to adhere to complex treatment regimens for Black patients. Within the conceptual paper, the scholar presents an integrated theoretical framework for both, understanding the root cause of these disparities and developing strategies to achieve health equity in Nephrology. Finally, the practice application paper demonstrates how this framework can be implemented to create meaningful change. References Centers for Disease Control and Prevention [CDC]. (2024, May 14). Social determinants of health. Public Health Professionals Gateway. https://www.cdc.gov/public-health-gateway/php/about/so

Biography

Bridget Marie Autin is a Licensed Master Social Worker II at Fresenius Medical Care, where she works closely with patients as they navigate their End Stage Renal Disease (ESRD) diagnosis and the complexities that come with treatment. She conducts regular psychosocial assessments to screen for depression, quality of life, and Social Determinants of Health (SDOH) related barriers to optimal outcomes. Bridget is skilled in providing person-centered interventions and educating patients about treatment modality choices, including home treatment options and transplants. Bridget works closely with an interdisciplinary team consisting of Nephrologists, nurses, patient care technicians, and registered dietitians who emphasize collaboration to achieve the best outcomes for their patients.
She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology from Nicholls State University, where she graduated Magna Cum Laude. She earned her Master of Social Work degree at Louisiana State University, where she joined Phi Alpha Honor Society. Bridget is a doctoral candidate in the University of Kentucky’s DSW program.
Bridget has a strong passion for healthcare equity, specializing in Nephrology social work. Her doctoral capstone delves deeply into the ways that SDOH impact healthcare equity in dialysis treatment adherence, home modality use, and kidney transplantation. Bridget’s goal is to contribute to the achievement of equity outcomes in ESRD patients by addressing healthcare disparities from their root cause with a systems approach.