The shared decision-making process in advanced kidney care
Research type
Research Study
Full title
The experience of older people in the shared decision-making process in advanced kidney care
IRAS ID
162345
Contact name
Karen Jenkins
Contact email
Duration of Study in the UK
2 years, 0 months, 1 days
Research summary
People with kidney disease are required to make difficult choices when their kidney function deteriorates. When kidney function reaches approximately 10-15% of normal, it is important for individuals and their families to plan for the future and consider the treatments including dialysis that might suit them best. Some people may decide not to have dialysis at all. In recent years there has been much debate about the‘shared decision-making’ process whereby patients and health care professionals try to make this difficult decision together. However it is not always clear how far the decision has indeed been ‘shared’ or which factors influence it . This project aims to find out exactly how patients and their families come to their decision and how far the decision was shared between the patient and the clinical staff. The project will focus on older people (>70 years),as we believe that little work has been carried out with older groups. We plan to undertake this project in two NHS Trusts (Barts Health,London and East Kent Hospitals). An advisory group of 4-6 patients and carers from these Trust will be set up to co-lead the project. Following an established,training programme developed by London South Bank University, the members of the Advisory Group will themselves interview thirty patients in total about their experiences, under the guidance of the research team. Interviews will be digitally recorded and then typed verbatim.Common themes about the decision making-process will be identified. Feedback from the Advisory Group members on their involvement in the project will also be sought. Findings from the project will help nurses and doctors to work together with older people to find the best way to make the decision about treatment choice.
REC name
East of Scotland Research Ethics Service REC 1
REC reference
15/ES/0019
Date of REC Opinion
9 Mar 2015
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion