Improving outcomes for people with chronic kidney disease through education

Abstract

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) continues to increase worldwide. Professional organisations are committed to developing clinical practice guidelines to manage and prevent disease progression. People with diabetes and hypertension are at greatest risk of developing CKD, but other risk factors include smoking, obesity, family history of CKD and being Aboriginal/ Torres Strait Islander or other ethnic minority. In order to prevent disease progression and other complications such as heart attack or stroke, people with early stage CKD patients must actively participate in their health care treatment. This however, may be limited by lack of understanding and awareness of the disease. Educational interventions may facilitate learning and provide patients with the knowledge and skills to better manage their condition. This is a thesis by publication containing published and submitted work related to providing health education for patients with CKD to assist in self-management of their condition. The first chapter is a general introduction. Chapter two provides an overall summary of current clinical management, patient education and information needs and education strategies. Chapter three is a systematic review of international clinical practice guidelines that are used for the management, detection and prevention of CKD. Chapters four and five are based on an original qualitative study that identifies patients’ educational needs and their awareness about CKD, associated risk factors and comorbidities. Chapter six includes a systematic review of educational interventions for patients with CKD which were assessed using risk of bias tools. The final chapter provides an overall discussion of this work. The primary objective of this thesis was to expand on the current evidence base for the management of patients with early stage CKD, and provide guidance on the development and implementation of educational interventions to help delay CKD progression.