Characterising patients and clinician experiences in comprehensive conservative care for kidney failure in Northern Queensland

Al Maraee, Gheed, Vangaveti, Venkat, and Mallett, Andrew (2023) Characterising patients and clinician experiences in comprehensive conservative care for kidney failure in Northern Queensland. Internal Medicine Journal, 53 (10). pp. 1819-1825.

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Abstract

Background: Comprehensive conservative care (CCC) is an emerging treatment option in kidney failure (KF), but its implementation has been restricted by a limited understanding of KF populations, outcomes and clinician experiences.

Aims: This pilot study aimed to investigate the characteristics of patients who are opting for (CCC) in North Queensland, Australia. It also aimed to highlight clinician factors impacting treatment discussions.

Methods: It was an observational study facilitated through an online cross-sectional survey to nephrologists, nephrology advanced trainees and nurse practitioners working across North Queensland.

Results: Study participants disagreed with the statement that patients commencing dialysis are more likely to have cardiac co-morbidities (46.7%), diabetes (40.0%), stroke (60.0%), liver disease (60.0%), chronic lung disease (53.3%), cognitive impairment (60.0%) and use of mobility aids (80.0%) than those commencing CCC. Conversely, they agreed that patients commencing dialysis are more likely to be independent (66.7%) and living in their private residence (40.0%). The median frailty score in patients choosing dialysis was 3.0 (interquartile range (IQR) 2.8–3.3), while that of patients selecting CCC was 4.5 (IQR 3.8–7.0). Our participants were aware of at least one clinical prognostication tool, and the one most frequently used was the ‘Surprise Question’ (46.2%, n = 6). Overall, our participants demonstrated low confidence (median 8.0%, IQR 6.0–8.0%) in facilitating CCC discussions.

Conclusion: Patients who are highly co-morbid and frail and have functional impairment are suitable candidates for CCC. More focus needs to be placed on objective prognostication of patients and the upskilling of clinicians to advocate for, and deliver, CCC.

Item ID: 77060
Item Type: Article (Research - C1)
ISSN: 1445-5994
Keywords: comprehensive conservative care, kidney supportive care, treatment options, prognostication
Copyright Information: © 2022 The Authors. Internal Medicine Journal published by John Wiley & Sons Australia, Ltd on behalf of Royal Australasian College of Physicians. This is an open access article under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs License, which permits use and distribution in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited, the use is non-commercial and no modifications or adaptations are made.
Date Deposited: 14 Dec 2022 07:48
FoR Codes: 32 BIOMEDICAL AND CLINICAL SCIENCES > 3202 Clinical sciences > 320214 Nephrology and urology @ 100%
SEO Codes: 20 HEALTH > 2001 Clinical health > 200105 Treatment of human diseases and conditions @ 100%
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