The Role of Kidney Supportive Care and Active Medical Management Without Dialysis in Supporting Well-Being in Kidney Care

Abstract

People living with kidney failure often experience a higher symptom burden (including anxiety and depression) and lower quality of life than patients with other serious chronic diseases. The end of life for these patients is characterized by high intensity of treatment (such as intensive care unit stays) and lack of support for family. Kidney supportive care, which emphasizes quality of life, person-centered care, and holistic care for the person and their family, is an approach that improves well-being by aligning care with the patient's preferences and goals. Kidney supportive care encompasses identifying seriously ill patients, eliciting patient values and goals through shared decision making and advance care planning, assessing and managing symptoms, communicating prognosis, offering active medical management without dialysis, and planning and managing care transitions, especially at the end of life. Models, strategies, and tools for incorporating kidney supportive care and active medical management without dialysis into existing workflows are available. However, barriers to implementation in the United States include clinician knowledge gaps, current workflows, and financial incentives, which make it difficult to break from the de facto default practice of starting dialysis for patients with kidney failure regardless of age, frailty, or debilitating condition. Policy changes are needed to fully implement kidney supportive care in the United States.