Dialysis Options and Choices
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Investigation of factors determining treatment choices in patients with advanced kidney failure: Co-productive study with patients and key stakeholders.
IRAS ID
255387
Contact name
Maureen Edgar
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Cardiff & Vale University Health Board
Duration of Study in the UK
1 years, 6 months, 30 days
Research summary
Kidney disease is common, affecting up to 1 in 10 of the adult population, and the numbers are expected to rise over the next decade, driven by the increase in diabetes and obesity. Three main treatments are available to patients with kidney disease: transplantation, dialysis and supportive care without dialysis. Dialysis can occur in a dialysis unit (UHD) or in a patient’s home. Renal units across Wales have introduced pre-dialysis education (PDE) programmes to engage patients in shared decision making about the available types of treatment. However, UHD remains the commonest start treatment option for patients across Wales. This is a cause for concern as most studies suggest that UHD is associated with the lowest quality of life and the highest mortality. It is also the most expensive treatment.
This study aims to identify the factors that lead to patients choosing unit-based haemodialysis rather than other options with a view to informing future changes in patient education and service commissioning.
There are five strands to the study.
1. The principles of co-production mean that in this study NHS staff, patients, carers and other organisations are working with academics to undertake research that can help improve services.
2. We will be analysing current patient education programmes and decision-making procedures followed by the five NHS renal centres in Wales.
3. We will link renal patient data with other health and administrative data to identify factors that may be linked to patient choice.
4. We will undertake an analysis to better understand the economics of current and alternative models of renal service provision.
5. We will interview patients, unpaid carers, and the clinicians that are involved in the delivery of dialysis options to gain a better understanding of the factors that influence treatment choices.REC name
Wales REC 5
REC reference
19/WA/0020
Date of REC Opinion
22 Jan 2019
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion