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Prompt: Renal Transplant Pre-Listing Information Letter

A copy-paste-ready prompt for drafting a plain-language letter explaining the transplant assessment and listing process to a patient being referred for evaluation.

Renal Transplant Pre-Listing Information Letter

Use this prompt to draft a letter for a patient being referred for transplant assessment — explaining what the assessment process involves, what listing means, and what they can expect.

Try it yourself
Draft a plain-language information letter for a patient aged 
[[patient_age — e.g. "55"]] who is being referred for renal 
transplant assessment.

The letter should:
- Explain what a kidney transplant is in plain English 
  (brief — the patient may already have some understanding)
- Explain what the assessment process involves — that it involves 
  tests and consultations to assess suitability, not a guarantee 
  of being listed
- Explain the difference between active waiting list and transplant 
  — being listed means waiting for a suitable donor
- Describe the two types of transplant briefly: deceased donor 
  and living donor — and that living donor transplant may also 
  be discussed
- Explain that the assessment is thorough because transplant is 
  a major undertaking with its own risks
- Note that immunosuppression will be lifelong if transplanted
- Tell the patient what they can do to prepare for the assessment 
  (general: maintain health, complete any pre-assessment tests 
  they are sent, raise any questions at the assessment appointment)
- Note that they can contact the transplant team with questions

Do not make any predictions about transplant eligibility. 
Do not include specific drug names. Tone: warm, honest, and 
encouraging without creating unrealistic expectations. 
Maximum 400 words.

Why this works

Explaining that assessment does not guarantee listing manages expectations early — preventing the distress that can arise when patients assume that being referred for assessment means they will be listed. The brief mention of both deceased and living donor options plants a seed for a conversation about living donation, which patients may not have considered.

How to tweak it

  • For a patient who has already been on dialysis for some time and is anxious about the wait, add: "Acknowledge that waiting for a transplant can be a long process and that this is hard. Note that the team will keep them informed of their position on the list."
  • For a patient with a potential living donor, add: "Include a note that if they have a family member or friend who has expressed interest in being assessed as a living donor, they should mention this at the assessment appointment."

Remember: AI is a helpful assistant, not a clinician. You make the call.

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