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To explore and understand the experiences of healthcare professionals (HCPs) delivering care in a multidisciplinary care (MDC) clinic for advanced chronic kidney disease (CKD) patients. This is a qualitative study based on semi-quantitative questionnaire and semi-structured interviews with thematic analysis and deductive mapping onto the Theoretical Framework of Acceptability. Sixteen HCPs caring for advanced CKD patients in a MDC clinic in a tertiary teaching hospital in Singapore were recruited based on maximum variation sampling procedures. The majority of the HCPs were supportive of a MDC clinic. There was a positive overall opinion of the programme [median 7.0 of 10.0 (IQR 7.0–8.0)], high satisfaction ratings for interaction with other members of team [6.9 (5.3–8.0)] and time spent with patients [7.0 (5.3–7.0)]. Thematic analysis of the interviews identified the value of MDC clinic in the provision of one-stop care, the improvement in communication and collaboration between HCPs, the facilitation of patient activation to make planned kidney care decisions, and the optimisation of medications. The main challenges were lack of continuity of care, manpower constraints, poor patient navigation between HCPs, poor patient attendance with allied HCPs, and the perception of increased cost and time spent by patients in each MDC clinic visit. The proposed interventions were notification of patients beforehand of the MDC clinic schedule and provision of navigation to patients within the MDC clinic. A multidisciplinary care clinic for advanced chronic kidney disease patients was viewed positively by the majority of the healthcare professionals, with areas for improvement.

This study aimed at determining the feasibility of conducting a large-scale pragmatic effectiveness study on the implementation of multidisciplinary care (MDC) program for patients with advanced chronic kidney disease (CKD). This is a single-arm pre-post intervention design pilot study over 12 months. Participants with an estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) between 11 and 20 ml/min/1.73m2 were screened and recruited at the initial MDC clinic visit and followed for 12 months. Clinical parameters, KDQOL™-36, questionnaires, and interviews were collected, administered, and analysed for enrolment and completion rates, baseline characteristics, implementation fidelity, adherence to CKD interventions, eGFR decline, CKD complications, health-related quality of life, and participants’ acceptability of the program. The study enrolment and completion rates were 43.1% (50/116 screened) and 66.0% (33/50 recruited) respectively. The participants had a mean age of 68.5 years (SD9.0) and a mean eGFR of 15.4 ml/min/1.73m2(3.2). After 12 months of MDC program, there was increased adherence to CKD interventions (difference − 0.6(1.0), 95%CI − 1.1, − 0.1, p = 0.02). There was good participants’ acceptability of the program with participants being more satisfied with the waiting time and having a better understanding of kidney failure after attending the program. No difference in the eGFR decline noted (difference 0.0 ml/min/1.73m2(5.3), 95%CI − 1.9, 1.9, p = 1.00). Our pilot data suggest increased adherence to CKD interventions and good acceptability to MDC program, albeit no difference in eGFR decline probably because of the small sample size. However, reasons for overall low enrolment and completion rates need to be explored and addressed while designing a future large-scale randomised controlled trial.

Emotional distress is common in dialysis patients, but its role on clinical outcomes for patients on peritoneal dialysis (PD) is uncertain. To evaluate the effect of depression and anxiety on 1-year prognosis in PD patients. A total of N = 201 PD patients (58.9 ± 12.59 years) completed the Hospital Anxiety Depression Scale and measures of social support at baseline and were followed up for CC technique and actuarial patient survival. Mortality and technique failure rates were 9.9 and 5.97 %, respectively. Carer-assisted PD, anxiety, comorbid burden and albumin were significant univariate predictors. Multivariate proportional hazard model to adjust for confounders indicated that anxiety remained significant with HR of 2.145 [95 % CI 1.03, 4.49, p = 0.043] for death/technique failure. Anxiety is an important predictor of actuarial and technique survival in PD. Effective treatment for symptoms of anxiety may represent an easily achievable means of improving the clinical outcome of PD patients.