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Clinical trial Recruiting at 2 sites Interventional Ages 18 and up

Collaborative program to improve kidney care for Black patients at Emory

Official title: Improving Access to Nephrology Treatment and Care Among Patients at Greatest Risk for Kidney Failure

Run by Emory University · NCT06693661 · Data updated 2026-11-12

This test uses kidney health coaching and clinic decision support to see if it can delay the need for dialysis, central venous catheters, or death in Black adults with advanced chronic kidney disease who receive care through Emory.

Quick facts

Study typeInterventional
Ages18 Years and up
SexAll
Enrollment600 (estimated)
SponsorEmory University
Academic / other
Locations2 sites (Atlanta, Georgia and 1 other locations)
StatusRecruiting
StartedMarch 10, 2026
Main results expectedMarch 2028
Study endsMarch 2028
Registry record updatedJune 4, 2026
Trial IDNCT06693661 on ClinicalTrials.gov

Is this trial a fit for you?

Likely a good fit

Black or African American adults with advanced CKD (two eGFRs <29 at least 90 days apart or a KFRE ≥10%) who had a recent encounter at Emory University Hospital Midtown and are willing to complete telephone consent and follow-up.

Probably not a fit

People already on dialysis, with prior transplant, receiving hospice or active cancer treatment, non-English speakers, or those not engaged in Emory care are not eligible and unlikely to receive benefit from this intervention.

A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.

What this trial studies

This is a community-engaged, two-group randomized trial that combines clinical decision support (CDS) with a six-month kidney health coaching (KHC) intervention delivered by trained coaches who have lived experience with CKD. The CDS is designed to streamline screening, identification, and linkage to care across primary, acute, and nephrology settings. The KHCs follow the Chronic Care Model to support self-management, treatment decision-making, and connections to community resources. Primary outcomes include time to kidney replacement therapy or central venous catheter use and death, and enrollment and baseline assessments are conducted by telephone.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, the program could help delay dialysis or catheter use and reduce mortality by improving self-management and connection to care for patients with advanced CKD.

How similar studies have gone: Related coaching and Chronic Care Model–based programs have improved patient engagement and care processes in CKD, but evidence that they specifically delay dialysis or reduce mortality is limited, making this a relatively novel test for those endpoints.

Who can join: the full rules

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria 
Inclusion Criteria:

* Identifies as African American or Black
* Two estimated glomerular filtration rates (eGFRs) \< 29 separated by at least 90 days but within the past 2 years, or a Kidney Failure Risk Equation (KFRE) score of 10% or greater likelihood of kidney failure within the next 2 years
* Had an encounter at Emory Healthcare through an ambulatory visit or inpatient stay (i.e., ER or hospital visit within the previous 2 months
* Stated willingness to comply with all study procedures and availability for the duration of the study

Exclusion Criteria:

* Currently on dialysis
* currently receiving hospice care or other types of conservative management for terminal illness
* Currently on waitlist, or referred for/or completed a transplant evaluation visit within the past 2 years
* Kidney or another solid organ transplant
* Active cancer treatment
* Non-English speaking
* Participating in another treatment or intervention study at the time of enrollment
* Currently pregnant or planning to become pregnant at the time of recruitment

Where it's running

  • Emory University Hospital Midtown
    Atlanta, Georgia, United States     Recruiting
  • Emory Healthcare System
    Atlanta, Georgia, United States     Recruiting

Study contacts

  • Principal investigator: Kimberly R Jacob Arriola, PhD, MPH — Emory University
  • Study coordinator: Kimberly R Jacob Arriola, PhD, MPH
  • Email: kjacoba@emory.edu
  • Phone: 404-727-2600

Similar studies

Other studies for the same condition or treatment. Recruiting studies are listed first.

How to take part

  1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
  2. Check the official listing on ClinicalTrials.gov for the latest contact details and recruitment status.
  3. Contact the study coordinator or principal investigator to ask for pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.
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Kidney Diseases 52Emory University 2068
Last reviewed 2026-11-14 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.