An Interactive Virtual Nephrologist to Engage Patients With Advanced CKD About Transplantation.
Peter P Reese, Danish Tamboli, Vishnu Potluri et al.
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In 30 seconds
This single-arm, open-label trial evaluated the impact of a virtual nephrologist on patient engagement regarding kidney transplantation (KT) among adults with advanced chronic kidney disease. Participants, with a median age of 66 years, showed a significant increase in their intention to discuss KT with their doctors after using the virtual platform, with a mean increase of 0.30 on a 5-point scale (P < 0.001).
Key findings
- Participants spent a median of 12.6 minutes reviewing a median of 11 topics during the virtual encounter.
- 59% of participants were female, and 50% were Black, with preferences for concordant virtual nephrologists.
- Intention to speak to a clinician about KT increased significantly after the virtual encounter (mean increase, 0.30; P < 0.001).
Why it matters
Engaging patients in discussions about kidney transplantation is crucial for improving treatment uptake and outcomes. This study highlights the potential of virtual platforms to enhance patient education and facilitate important health conversations.
What to keep in mind
The clinical significance of the outcome is uncertain.