This is a randomized pilot study to test the feasibility and acceptability of a tool to promote discussion about conservative kidney management (CKM) among older patients with advanced CKD and their providers.
This study is a randomized pilot study to test the acceptability and feasibility of a novel communication tool, called the CKM Jumpstart Tool, to promote discussion of CKM between patients with advanced CKM and their healthcare providers, the investigators hypothesize that the Guide will be feasible and acceptable to patients and their healthcare providers as reflected in greater discussion of CKM between them following use of the Tool as compared with usual care. The investigators will enroll 76 patients aged 75 years and older with advanced CKD and their healthcare providers from University of Washington Medicine and Veterans Affairs Puget Sound Health Care System. Patients will be randomized together in a 1:1 fashion to receive the intervention or usual care. Data from participants will be collected at the time of enrollment (T1), within 2-weeks of their following clinic visit with their healthcare provider (T2), and approximately 3-month after this clinic visit (T3). The primary outcome measure and measure of feasibility is difference in patient-reported rates of discussion of CKM with a healthcare provider at T2 and T3. The investigators will also evaluate whether provider document in the medical chart of patients whether they had a discussion about CKM with the patient at T2 and T3. The investigators will also collect attrition rates at T2 and T3 as a measure of acceptability. The investigators will further assess user experience of the CKM JumpStart by performing a qualitative analysis of post-intervention interviews with patients and nephrologists, coding for themes elucidating pros, cons and other considerations with using the CKM JumpStart Tool and discussion about CKM.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
OTHER
Masking
TRIPLE
Enrollment
76
The CKM JumpStart Tool is a 1-page handout that describes the values of a patient and words that a providers can try with the patient to explore the patient' values more and to provide a values-based introduction to CKM. The values described in the CKM JumpStart Tool is based on a patient's response to a single validated question that we will ask the patient at T1, if they had to choose, do they value care directed at longevity or comfort. Using the patient's answer to the values question, study staff will generate a CKM JumpStart Tool prior to their upcoming clinic visit with their nephrologist. Study staff will inform the patient that their response to the values question will be shared with their provider prior to their next clinic visit and that their providers might bring up their values and treatment options for kidney disease, if the situation permits. We will share the CKM Jumpstart Tool with their provider and provide instruction on how to use the Tool.
VA Puget Sound Health Care System
Seattle, Washington, United States
RECRUITINGUniversity of Washington
Seattle, Washington, United States
RECRUITINGPatient-provider discussion of CKM
We will ask patients whether they had discussed CKM with their healthcare provider at T2 and T3.
Time frame: 3 months
Attrition
We will record the proportion of participants in each study arm who withdraw from the study and the reasons why at T2 and T3. Study withdrawal would indicate that the Tool and/or study is unacceptable or burdensome to the participant.
Time frame: 3 months
Treatment preference
At each study visit, we will record each patient's preference for dialysis or CKM using the Decision Conflict Scale at each study visit.
Time frame: 3 months
Quality of Communication
At each study visit, patients will be asked to rate the quality of serious illness communication with their nephrologists using the Quality of Communication Questionnaire.
Time frame: 3 months
Documentation of CKM Discussion
At T2 and T3, we will review each patient's recent nephrology clinic notes to determine whether their providers documented a discussion with patients about CKM.
Time frame: 3 months
Patient Post-Intervention Interview
For patients randomized to receive the intervention, at T2, patients will be invited to answer 4 open-ended questions about their clinical encounter with their provider. Questions will pertain to topics discussed during the encounter with their provider, whether their provider asked them about their values, whether CKM was discussed, and their perception of CKM based on the conversation.
Time frame: 2 weeks
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Provider Use of CKM Jumpstart Tool
For patients randomized to receive the intervention, at T2, their providers will be asked whether they had used the CKM Jumpstart Tool during their visit, and if not their reasons for not using the Tool.
Time frame: 2 weeks