What do stage 3 chronic kidney disease patients want to know?

Every once in a while, a study is published asking a group of patients what they would like to learn more about. The results almost always differ from what the health care professionals are teaching.

Another study of this sort has been published by Lewis, Stabler, and Welch (2010). They explored the informational needs, problems, or concerns of patients with stage 4 chronic kidney disease (CKD) and identified what they wanted in an educational program.

They found their patients’ top concerns to be:
— the possibility of starting dialysis
— maintaining normal social relationships
— treatment options.

They found their patients wanted to know more about
— kidney disease
— treatment options
— care of a vascular access
— taking medication the physician prescribed
— financial concerns.

Are these topics included in your pre-dialysis education program? Have you asked your patients what they want to learn more about?

Source: Lewis, A. L., Stabler, K. A., & Welch, J. L. (2010). Perceived informational needs, problems, or concerns among patients with stage 4 chronic kidney disease. Nephrol Nurs J, 37(2), 143-148; quiz 149.