Abstract: PO1066
Quality Improvement Study on Dialysis Education for Residents in an Outpatient Nephrology Clinic
Session Information
- Educational Research
November 04, 2021 | Location: On-Demand, Virtual Only
Abstract Time: 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Category: Educational Research
- 800 Educational Research
Authors
- Hsu, Young C., University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California, United States
- Kwok, Jonas, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California, United States
- Khine, Annika K., University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California, United States
- Cao, Thanh, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California, United States
Background
In a large safety net hospital outpatient nephrology clinic in Southern California, resident physicians provide a significant portion of care to patients who have chronic kidney disease (CKD) stages III to V. Many of these patients eventually require initiation of long-term renal replacement therapy (RRT). However, there are many barriers to a timely and safe initiation of RRT in this patient population. One such barrier is a deficiency in education regarding dialysis between residents and patients in nephrology clinic. We attempted to identify barriers of resident education with patients regarding the topic of RRT and assess the effects of our educational intervention.
Objectives:
1. Increase resident’s knowledge regarding RRT based on pre and post intervention questionnaire
2. Increase resident’s subjective preparedness/comfort level regarding discussions of RRT
3. Increase the frequency with which residents discuss RRT with patients
Methods
We created and distributed a pre-assessment survey to all Internal Medicine and Internal Medicine+Pediatrics residents at a large teaching hospital and received an approximately 50% response rate. Residents overwhelmingly responded that they do not feel patients have an adequate understanding of dialysis by the time they are deemed to require renal replacement therapy, nor did residents feel that they were adequately prepared or knowledgeable about the nuances of dialysis in order to counsel patients with CKD. We created a short teaching presentation with video reviewing dialysis topics and strategies to approach discussions with patients for residents who rotate through nephrology clinic, after which a post-survey was administered. Results are currently being collected.
Results
Results are currently being collected. We expect resident physicians will demonstrate increased knowledge regarding RRT based on pre- and post-intervention questionnaire, feel more comfortable discussing RRT with patients, and will discuss RRT more often with patients in clinic.
Conclusion
We expect to be able to conclude that resident education is a vital aspect in increasing patient understanding and comfort in regards to their disease process and dialysis at similar teaching centers where residents represent the majority of patient-physician interface in renal subspecialty clinic.