Patient Satisfaction Following a Structured Pre‑dialysis Education and Support Pathway
I Santer, M West, W
Tse
Purpose: To evaluate the effectiveness of Pre‑dialysis
education and support and its impact on dialysis modality choice
Design: A single centre survey conducted over a one‑year
period of dialysis patients who had completed 90 days of Renal Replacement
Therapy (RRT). These patients had a planned start to dialysis and had followed
the Pre‑dialysis Pathway. An anonymous questionnaire was sent.
Findings:
37 patients (65 %
haemodialysis and 35% CAPD) started planned RRT via the Pre‑dialysis
Pathway and 23 (62%) questionnaires returned. Of these: 11 patients felt they
were well prepared with access in place, 7 patients felt the start of RRT came
sooner than expected and required temporary access, 4 patients did not know
they had kidney disease and 1 patient abstained from responding. 65% of
patients on CAPD felt that they had enough information, but 44% wanted more
information about life‑style changes. Of the haemodialysis patients 74%
felt they had received enough information and the effect of dialysis on life
style, but 22% felt they wanted more information about complications. 96% of Pre‑dialysis patients wanted
information about treatment options and only 56% of patients felt that they
were given the opportunity to choose their dialysis modality. 52% wanted
information as soon as possible after the doctor told them they had kidney
problems, 18% wanted information 3‑12 months before dialysis, 26% wanted
information 3 months before starting dialysis.
Relevance: Providing comprehensive, relevant information
to pre‑dialysis patients is important to aid informed decision‑making.
Conclusion:
This Patient satisfaction
survey has highlighted the importance of a structured pre‑dialysis
education and support pathway in helping patients manage their health and
achieve better quality of life.