Implementation of a minimally invasive intervention (MINI) in specialist nephrology practices
to strengthen person-centred care for patients with acute kidney injury (AKI), chronic kidney disease (CKD) and end-stage renal disease (ESRD)
Scientific management: Priv.-Doz. Dr. Dr. Julia Strupp (Centre for Palliative Medicine, University Hospital Cologne), Priv.-Doz. Dr. Linus Völker (Internal Medicine II, University Hospital Cologne)
Research associate: Jana Frey
Duration: 11/2023 -10/2025
Funding Institution: Dr. Werner Jackstädt-Stiftung
Contact:palliativzentrum-mini-neph@uk-koeln.de
Project description
Nephrology and palliative care are often seen as different and opposing care options. Observations from our own studies (Last Year of Life Study-Cologne (LYOL-C) I and II) show a discrepancy between the care of patients with end-stage renal disease and current palliative care recommendations. Owing to the different underlying diseases, disease stages and highly variable courses of the disease, there is no consensus on the appropriate time to integrate palliative care for these patients. In addition, there are uncertainties in dealing with dying patients and their relatives, as well as the lack of addressing the important issue of incurability.
In this context, the MINI-Neph project aims to implement the two-sided (i.e. provider- and patient-centred) minimally invasive intervention (MINI) developed in the LYOL-C-II project in specialist nephrology practices in order to initiate palliative co-care significantly earlier in the course of the disease. The aim of MINI is to strengthen person-centred care for patients with acute kidney injury (AKI), chronic kidney disease (CKD) and end-stage renal disease (ESRD) by identifying a need for palliative treatment at an early stage in order to overcome information deficits, promote interdisciplinary care and thus proactively shape further care together with patients and their relatives. This can help to improve patients' quality of life and close gaps in care for CKD and ESRD patients.
Method
Prospective, interventional study
- Staff Training (n=20-50 )
- Implementation of the two-sided minimally invasive intervention (MINI) developed as part of the BMBF research project LYOL-C-II, in selected specialist nephrology practices (n= 3-4)
- Qualitative focus groups with care providers (n=5-10)
- Quantitative staff survey in pre/post design (n=20-50)
- Quantitative questionnaire survey of patients (n=20)
