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Clinical Trial
. 2013 Jul;62(1):23-32.
doi: 10.1053/j.ajkd.2013.01.023. Epub 2013 Mar 27.

Pilot study of a physician-delivered education tool to increase patient knowledge about CKD

Julie Wright Nunes  1 , Jane H Greene, Kenneth Wallston, Svetlana Eden, Ayumi Shintani, Tom Elasy, Russell L Rothman, T Alp Ikizler, Kerri L Cavanaugh
Affiliations
Clinical Trial

Pilot study of a physician-delivered education tool to increase patient knowledge about CKD

Julie Wright Nunes et al. Am J Kidney Dis. 2013 Jul.

Abstract

Background: Limited research exists on physician-delivered education interventions. We examined the feasibility and impact of an educational tool on facilitating physician-patient kidney disease communication.

Study design: Pilot feasibility clinical trial with a historical control to examine effect size on patient knowledge and structured questions to elicit physician and patient feedback.

Setting & participants: Adults with chronic kidney disease (CKD) stages 1-5, seen in nephrology clinic.

Intervention: 1-page educational worksheet, reviewed by physicians with patients.

Outcomes: Kidney knowledge between patient groups and provider/patient feedback.

Measurements: Patient kidney knowledge was measured using a previously validated questionnaire compared between patients receiving the intervention (April to October 2010) and a historical cohort (April to October 2009). Provider input was obtained using structured interviews. Patient input was obtained through survey questions. Patient characteristics were abstracted from the medical record.

Results: 556 patients were included, with 401 patients in the historical cohort and 155 receiving the intervention. Mean age was 57 ± 16 (SD) years, with 53% men, 81% whites, and 78% with CKD stages 3-5. Compared with the historical cohort, patients receiving the intervention had higher adjusted odds of knowing they had CKD (adjusted OR, 2.20; 95% CI, 1.16-4.17; P = 0.02), knowing their kidney function (adjusted OR, 2.25; 95% CI, 1.27-3.97; P = 0.005), and knowing their stage of CKD (adjusted OR, 3.22; 95% CI, 1.49-6.92; P = 0.003). Physicians found the intervention tool easy and feasible to integrate into practice and 98% of patients who received the intervention recommended it for future use.

Limitations: Study design did not randomly assign patients for comparison and enrollment was performed in clinics at one center.

Conclusions: In this pilot study, a physician-delivered education intervention was feasible to use in practice and was associated with higher patient kidney disease knowledge. Further examination of physician-delivered education interventions for increasing patient disease understanding should be tested through randomized trials.

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Figures

FIGURE 1
FIGURE 1
STUDY DESIGN AND TIMELINE
FIGURE 2
FIGURE 2. KIDNEY EDUCATION WORKSHEET (FRONT AND BACK)
Adapted from the National Kidney Disease Education Program.
FIGURE 3
FIGURE 3
ENROLLMENT FLOW DIAGRAMS FOR THE HISTORICAL COHORT AND INTERVENTION GROUP
See this image and copyright information in PMC

Comment in

  • Those who can do, teach.
    Becker BN, Becker YT. Becker BN, et al. Am J Kidney Dis. 2013 Jul;62(1):1-2. doi: 10.1053/j.ajkd.2013.04.004. Am J Kidney Dis. 2013. PMID: 23773836 No abstract available.

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