An end-of-life practice survey among clinical nephrologists associated with a single nephrology fellowship training program

Kevin A. Ceckowski, Dustin J. Little, Joseph R. Merighi, Teri Browne, Christina M. Yuan*

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

2 Scopus citations

Abstract

Background: Our nephrology fellowship requires specific training in recognition and referral of end-stage renal disease patients likely to benefit from palliative and hospice care. Methods: To identify end-of-life (EOL) referral barriers that require greater training emphasis, we performed a crosssectional, 17-item anonymous online survey (August-October 2015) of 93 nephrologists associated with the program since 1987. Results: There was a 61% response rate (57/93 surveys). Ninety-five percent practiced clinical nephrology (54/57). Of these, 51 completed the survey (55% completion rate), and their responses were analyzed. Sixty-four percent were in practice>10 years; 65% resided in the Southern USA. Ninety-two percent felt comfortable discussing EOL care, with no significant difference between those with_10 versus >10 years of practice experience (P 0.28). Thirty-one percent reported referring patients to EOL care 'somewhat' or 'much less often' than indicated. The most frequent referral barriers were: Time-consuming nature of EOL discussions (27%); difficulty in accurately determining prognosis for<6-month survival (35%); patient (63%) and family (71%) unwillingness; and patient (69%) and family (73%) misconceptions. Fifty-seven percent would refer more patients if dialysis or ultrafiltration could be performed in hospice. Some reported that local palliative care resources (12%) and hospice resources (6%) were insufficient. Conclusions: The clinical nephrologists surveyed were comfortable with EOL care discussion and referral. Patient, family, prognostic and system barriers exist, and many reported lower than indicated referral rates. Additional efforts, including, but not limited to, EOL training during fellowship, are needed to overcome familial and structural barriers to facilitate nephrologist referral for EOL care.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)437-442
Number of pages6
JournalClinical Kidney Journal
Volume10
Issue number4
DOIs
StatePublished - 1 Aug 2017
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • dialysis
  • end-of-life
  • hospice
  • nephrology
  • palliative care

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