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PhD Project: Dr Kathryn Ducharlet

Supervisors: Prof Jennifer Philip and A/Prof Hilton Gock

University of Melbourne

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Rationale: In Australia there is an increasing incidence of elderly patients with advanced chronic kidney disease often with considerable co-morbidity, frailty and limited prognosis when commenced on renal replacement therapy compared with younger patients. This group of patients have a high burden of physical and psychosocial symptoms, poor outcomes and high costs of care in the current approaches. Renal supportive care is increasingly important to improving patient outcomes, yet there is limited understanding how it is considered and delivered in Nephrology care.

 

Aim: To understand the experiences, attitudes and beliefs of renal supportive care and palliative care by renal clinicians (doctors and nurses) who care for patients with chronic kidney disease.

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Potential impact: This collaborative research project will result in recommendations and identified opportunities to improve best practice service delivery of renal supportive care, and in turn, improve patient experiences.

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Key contact: Dr Kathryn Ducharlet Kathryn.ducharlet@svha.org.au

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Funding: Victorian Renal Clinical Network (Safer Care Victoria)