Abstract
Background: Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a complex condition that requires extensive knowledge for adequate patient self-management. Many individuals with CKD lack sufficient understanding of their diagnosis, leading to poorer health outcomes. Effective patient-provider communication is crucial in closing this knowledge gap, particularly given the intricacies of managing CKD, other comorbidities, and complex medication regimens. This communication is essential in primary care settings, where most patients with CKD are managed. Yet, little is known, from the patient’s perspective, about how these critical conversations unfold during the clinical encounter. Understanding patients' experiences communicating with primary care providers about CKD can offer valuable insight into strategies for enhancing patient understanding and knowledge about CKD.
Purpose: This qualitative study described patients’ experiences communicating about their CKD with their primary care providers.
Methods: Participants were recruited through purposive and snowball sampling. Semi-structured individual interviews were conducted, audio-recorded, transcribed verbatim, and analyzed using thematic analysis.
Results: In-depth interviews with twelve participants revealed two overarching themes: negative and positive clinical encounters. The negative clinical encounter was characterized by dismissiveness, lack of accessibility, and providing unclear information. These negative experiences made participants feel dissatisfied with care, navigating the healthcare system alone, and developing distrust toward providers. The positive clinical encounter was characterized by participants feeling heard, collaborating with their providers, and having a provider that was accessible. These positive experiences resulted in a positive feeling about the care received and a patient-provider match.
Conclusions and Implications: Findings underscore the essential role of effective and positive communication in managing kidney disease. Nurses, an underutilized resource in primary care settings, are well-equipped to enhance patients’ experiences and serve as a bridge between patients and providers. Nurses possess the expertise to educate and promote patient-centeredness, making patients feel valued and engaged in their care. By utilizing these skills, nurses can facilitate provider accessibility and ensure patients receive the critical information and strategies needed to learn about and manage their CKD effectively.
Notes
References:
Wright, J. A., Wallston, K. A., Elasy, T. A., Ikizler, T. A., & Cavanaugh, K. L. (2011). Development and results of a kidney disease knowledge survey given to patients with CKD. American journal of kidney diseases, 57(3), 387-395.
Lederer, S., Fischer, M. J., Gordon, H. S., Wadhwa, A., Popli, S., & Gordon, E. J. (2015). Barriers to effective communication between veterans with chronic kidney disease and their healthcare providers. Clinical kidney journal, 8(6), 766-771.
Neale, E. P., Middleton, J., & Lambert, K. (2020). Barriers and enablers to detection and management of chronic kidney disease in primary healthcare: a systematic review. BMC nephrology, 21, 1-17.
Paulus, A. B., & Kurosaka, A. (2024). Transforming Kidney Health: The Role of Nursing Leadership in Value-Based Care. Nephrology Nursing Journal, 51(2).
Norful, A., Martsolf, G., de Jacq, K., & Poghosyan, L. (2017). Utilization of registered nurses in primary care teams: a systematic review. International Journal of Nursing Studies, 74, 15-23.
Sigma Membership
Xi
Type
Presentation
Format Type
Text-based Document
Study Design/Type
Other
Research Approach
Qualitative Research
Keywords:
Primary Care, Workforce, Chronic Kidney Disease, CKD, Communication, Patient Outcomes
Recommended Citation
Iroegbu, Christin; Leak, Sheridan; Bartolone, Sam; and Tibbitt, Celsea, "Patient-Provider Communication in CKD Care: Patient Experiences and Nursing Implications" (2025). International Nursing Research Congress (INRC). 137.
https://www.sigmarepository.org/inrc/2025/presentations_2025/137
Conference Name
36th International Nursing Research Congress
Conference Host
Sigma Theta Tau International
Conference Location
Seattle, Washington, USA
Conference Year
2025
Rights Holder
All rights reserved by the author(s) and/or publisher(s) listed in this item record unless relinquished in whole or part by a rights notation or a Creative Commons License present in this item record.
Review Type
Abstract Review Only: Reviewed by Event Host
Acquisition
Proxy-submission
Patient-Provider Communication in CKD Care: Patient Experiences and Nursing Implications
Seattle, Washington, USA
Background: Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a complex condition that requires extensive knowledge for adequate patient self-management. Many individuals with CKD lack sufficient understanding of their diagnosis, leading to poorer health outcomes. Effective patient-provider communication is crucial in closing this knowledge gap, particularly given the intricacies of managing CKD, other comorbidities, and complex medication regimens. This communication is essential in primary care settings, where most patients with CKD are managed. Yet, little is known, from the patient’s perspective, about how these critical conversations unfold during the clinical encounter. Understanding patients' experiences communicating with primary care providers about CKD can offer valuable insight into strategies for enhancing patient understanding and knowledge about CKD.
Purpose: This qualitative study described patients’ experiences communicating about their CKD with their primary care providers.
Methods: Participants were recruited through purposive and snowball sampling. Semi-structured individual interviews were conducted, audio-recorded, transcribed verbatim, and analyzed using thematic analysis.
Results: In-depth interviews with twelve participants revealed two overarching themes: negative and positive clinical encounters. The negative clinical encounter was characterized by dismissiveness, lack of accessibility, and providing unclear information. These negative experiences made participants feel dissatisfied with care, navigating the healthcare system alone, and developing distrust toward providers. The positive clinical encounter was characterized by participants feeling heard, collaborating with their providers, and having a provider that was accessible. These positive experiences resulted in a positive feeling about the care received and a patient-provider match.
Conclusions and Implications: Findings underscore the essential role of effective and positive communication in managing kidney disease. Nurses, an underutilized resource in primary care settings, are well-equipped to enhance patients’ experiences and serve as a bridge between patients and providers. Nurses possess the expertise to educate and promote patient-centeredness, making patients feel valued and engaged in their care. By utilizing these skills, nurses can facilitate provider accessibility and ensure patients receive the critical information and strategies needed to learn about and manage their CKD effectively.
Description
Extensive patient knowledge is required for chronic kidney disease (CKD) self-management, yet many patients lack understanding about their diagnosis. We qualitatively explored patients' CKD communication experiences with their provider. Participants described negative and positive clinical encounters. Findings reveal the importance of effective CKD communication and the potential for nurses to enhance patient experiences and ensure they receive the information needed to manage their CKD.