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If I’m Worrying About Getting Well, How Can I Get Well? Decision-Making among African Americans with Advanced CKD

Year: 2020

Type: conference-abstract

Abstract: Objectives: Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is an emerging major public health concern in the United States. Shared decision-making (SDM) has gained attention as an important area of inquiry in chronic kidney disease research. Few studies focus on shared decision-making or preferences of older African Americans during the advanced stages of CKD before the initiation of dialysis. The objective of this study was to understand decision-making preferences and shared decision-making among older African Americans with advanced chronic kidney disease who have yet to start dialysis. Methods: Data were collected from an outpatient clinic sample of older African Americans ≥ 55 years old (N = 10) diagnosed with advanced CKD. Participants were administered a survey with open-ended questions related to shared decision-making, CKD healthcare and general healthcare preferences (both open-ended and closed-ended questions), and participant characteristics. A thematic analysis framework was applied to identify themes and patterns in the data. Results: Several themes emerged in regard to shared decision-making and patient preferences including: complexity of CKD management, uncertainty of prognosis, barriers and facilitators to CKD self-management and SDM, diagnosis and dialysis information, elements of SDM, and the structural and social context of SDM related to racial inequities. Discussion: Participants identified a nuanced understanding of the concerns related to managing CKD. The complex and ever-changing nature of CKD was emphasized as participants discussed how they perceived their care needs. This study provides implications for social work practice, healthcare policy and interprofessional collaboration in the care of older African Americans.

Source: Innovation in Aging

DOI: 10.1093/geroni/igaa057.3368

Authors: Tyrone Hamler, Megan Schmidt-Sane, Anne Huml, Mirela Dobre, Donna Taylor

Institutions: Case Western Reserve University, University of Sussex, Cleveland Clinic, University Hospitals of Cleveland

Language: English

Topic: Dialysis and Renal Disease Management

Subfield: Nephrology

Field: Medicine

Domain: Health Sciences

SDGs: Good health and well-being, Reduced inequalities

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $3,977