A study was carried out to assess how best to help patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) make informed decisions about which type of dialysis they prefer.
Decision-making tools (DMTs) are considered to be the gold-standard in enabling such informed choice, but are still not widely used. In this study, 2,012 patients across 48 of our clinics were empowered with the DMTs process, 71% being medically suitable for both techniques. In order to help them decide whether to start on PD, a variety of resources were offered such as patient values evaluation, written information, a DVD and visits to clinics where both haemodialysis and peritoneal dialysis (PD) were carried out.
A shared decision was taken, aligned with relatives, in 82% of cases. Most patients (92%) felt the process useful in their journey towards making a choice. Of patients suitable for both modalities, 35% chose PD, whilst chronic ascription to a PD program occurred in 31%.
Download a poster here or below of the study in short.