Majority of Physicians Desire Collaboration in CKD Treatment

But nephrologists, PCPs seek collaboration at different points in chronic kidney disease progression

FRIDAY, Jan. 7 (HealthDay News) -- The majority of kidney specialists and primary care physicians (PCPs) desire collaboration on patient care for those with chronic kidney disease (CKD), but at different points in patient care, according to a study published online Jan. 6 in the Clinical Journal of the American Society of Nephrology.

Clarissa Jonas Diamantidis, M.D., from the University of Maryland, School of Medicine in Baltimore, and colleagues evaluated the desire of PCPs and nephrologists to collaborate in the care of patients with CKD and the barriers to such collaboration. They analyzed responses from 124 PCPs and 120 kidney specialists to a questionnaire regarding the treatment of a hypothetical patient with progressive CKD. Collaborative care between PCPs and nephrologists for CKD patients is widely advocated, but the preferences of the physicians involved have not been studied.

The researchers found that 85 percent of the PCPs and 94 percent of the nephrologists did have a desire for collaboration. Nephrologists were more likely to prefer collaboration on predialysis, renal replacement therapy preparation, and electrolyte management. The PCPs, however, were more likely to want collaboration if the patient had diabetes and hypertension in addition to CKD, if they felt their care would help slow the CKD progression, and if there was no perceived barrier to a nephrology referral.

"Collaborative models that explicitly include PCPs in CKD care and that specify the roles of PCPs and nephrologists in addressing the needs of patients may improve the quality of patients care and clinical outcomes," the authors write.

Abstract
Full Text (subscription or payment may be required)

Related Stories

No stories found.
logo
www.healthday.com