anization has held educational sessions focused on diabetes and pain self-management, among other chronic health conditions, for many years. Stanford’s various PATH programs are delivered by many healthcare organizations across the country, with each session typically led by two trained leaders, at least one of whom has a long-term health condition. In the weekly sessions, participants learn strategies for better nutrition, healthcare options, and dealing with issues such as pain, fatigue, and difficult emotions. They also create personal action plans and set practical, achievable goals.
“NKF in Michigan has a lot of experience in addressing chronic health disparities, so they’re a really good partner for us in terms of implementing a kidney disease treatment education program,” says Saffer.
“Although the Kidney PATH program is excellent and very successful, what it was lacking was any education on what patients’ treatment options are when their kidneys fail, which is a key part of kidney disease self-management,” Saffer continues. She is working with other Outset team members and NKFM to develop and pilot the new curriculum. “If a patient is progressing into or is already in the advanced stages of kidney disease, it’s really important for them to understand that transplantation and home dialysis are options for them, in addition to in-center dialysis.”
“The goal with this new curriculum is to reach out to more disadvantaged populations, particularly those with lower socioeconomic status, and help them understand their treatment options, and how to overcome perceived barriers to home dialysis and transplant,” says Saffer.
As part of this educational initiative, Outset Medical will also assist NKFM in identifying and referring newly diagnosed CKD patients in Michigan to Kidney PATH courses where the new treatment-focused content will be piloted. Patients will also be surveyed pre- and post-program, with questions being added to evaluate the effectiveness of the new content in terms of changing knowledge, attitudes and willingness to do home dialysis.
“We will be evaluating post-course whether patients had a better understanding of their options, and whether they would be more or less likely to choose home dialysis, based on their participation in the curriculum,” says Saffer. She also notes that Outset will work with NKFM on publication of the results.
“What’s exciting is that although this program is being piloted in Michigan, it really applies nationwide. There is an opportunity for Outset to further collaborate with other NKF divisions to scale the program,” she adds.
In a related effort that points to the critical element of education in impacting the status quo in dialysis care, Saffer also recently co-authored a published NEJM Catalyst commentary, entitled “Bringing Kidney Care Home: Lessons from Covid-19.” The article notes that the pandemic made the expansion of home care essential for many diseases including kidney disease, and explores how to preserve and expand home dialysis. This includes suggested changes in regulations, education of both providers and patients, financial incentives to healthcare providers, and better coordination among the many federal programs devoted to improving kidney care.
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