Discussions Concerning the Generalist-Specialist Combination Management Model of Chronic Kidney Disease

Abstract

In recent years, the effective management of patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) is gaining growing attention. In 2014, our hospital established the CKD generalist-specialist combination management model, which incorporates a set of CKD management processes. The generalist component incorporates the following, general practitioners from 6 community health centers in the surrounding areas (with about 650 000 permanent residents in the region) joining hands, setting up a management team composed of doctors and nurses, and formulating management protocols for patient follow-up, patient record management, screening, risk assessment, examination and treatment, nutrition and exercise, and two-way referrals. The specialist component of the model incorporates the following, providing trainings for general practitioners in the in the community in the form of lectures on special topics and case discussion sessions, and organizing 7 national-level workshops for continuing medical education in the past decade, covering about 1 400 participants. In addition, regular meetings of the support groups of patients with renal diseases were organized to carry out information and education activities for patients. We have set up 4 community-based training centers and 6 specialized disease management centers, including one for diabetic nephropathy. We have retrospectively analyzed the risk factors of elderly CKD patients by establishing the elderly physical examination database (which has a current enrollment of 26 000 people), the elderly community CKD cross-sectional survey database, and the elderly CKD information management system. After 10 years of management practice, the level of institutionalization and standardization of CKD specialty management in our hospital has been improved. Moreover, we have expanded the management team and extended the management base from the hospital to community. We have improved the level of CKD management in community health centers and improved the specialty competence of the general practitioners in the communities. The generalist-specialist combination management model makes it possible for CKD patients to receive early screening and treatment, obtain effective and convenient follow-up and referral services, and improve their quality of life. Patients with complications such as diabetes, hypertension, and sarcopenia could access treatments with better precision. It is necessary to carry out the generalist-specialist integrated management of CKD, which is worthy of further development and improvement.