Improving communication for dialysis decisions in older patients with kidney disease
Pilot Testing of a Communication Intervention to Promote Shared Dialysis Decision Making in Older Patients with Chronic Kidney Disease (DIAL-SDM Trial)
This study is all about helping older adults with chronic kidney disease make better choices about dialysis by training doctors to communicate more effectively and coaching patients and their caregivers to express what matters most to them.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Rochester NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Rochester, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-10609444 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This research focuses on enhancing the decision-making process for older patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) who are considering dialysis. It involves training nephrologists to better engage with their patients through remote online sessions, while also providing coaching to patients and their caregivers to help them articulate their values and preferences. The goal is to ensure that patients are well-informed and actively involved in their treatment choices, ultimately aligning medical decisions with their personal goals. The study will involve a pilot trial with nephrologists and patients aged 65 and older.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are older adults aged 65 and above with chronic kidney disease and an estimated glomerular filtration rate of 20 ml/min or less.
Not a fit: Patients who are younger than 65 or do not have chronic kidney disease may not benefit from this research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved patient satisfaction and better alignment of dialysis treatment with patients' quality of life preferences.
How similar studies have performed: Previous research has shown that enhancing communication in medical decision-making can lead to better patient outcomes, indicating that this approach has potential for success.
Where this research is happening
Rochester, United States
- University of Rochester — Rochester, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Saeed, Fahad — University of Rochester
- Study coordinator: Saeed, Fahad
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.