Identify outcomes most important to kidney disease patients with different characteristics
When diagnosed with kidney failure, patients face difficult decisions about their care. In order to identify the factors that are most important to patients, we conducted qualitative interviews of patients with kidney disease. Patients on hemodialysis, patients on peritoneal dialysis, and those who had not yet received any dialysis treatment were all interviewed during this phase of the study. Questions used in these interviews were developed with input from our stakeholder advisory panel.
Summary of Findings
To better understand how patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) perceive selecting in-center hemodialysis (HD) or peritoneal dialysis (PD), researchers working on the EPOCH-RRT study interviewed 180 patients with kidney disease. There are other types of treatment options like kidney transplant, home hemodialysis, or conservative management. However, since the majority of CKD patients in the United States are offered HD or PD treatment when their kidney function gets too low, this study focused on those two dialysis types.
During the interview, participants were asked whether factors such as independence and quality of life were important to them. Researchers analyzed the responses in order to identify the most relevant concerns about the decision to start HD or PD. Awareness of these patient preferences can help doctors and health care providers address individual patient priorities to allow for shared decision-making.
The information gathered from interviews with patients highlighted the need for greater patient involvement in choosing the right type of dialysis. As a result, the EPOCH-RRT study team is developing an online decision tool to help CKD patients better understand these two dialysis types and help them make more informed decisions.
Compare the impact of in-center HD and PD on patient-centered outcomes
Test the effect of the decision tool on patients’ decision-making process
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