Manisha Singh, M.D.
There are approximately 350,000 adult Arkansans with chronic kidney disease (CKD), however, only 10% are aware that they have it. Primary-care providers (PCPs) are powerful partners for positive changes to protect kidney function and slow CKD progression since they encounter patients long before the nephrologists. However, CKD detection by PCPs is low, as is their awareness of the steps required to adequately manage CKD. In this study, we will assess the ability of checklists to create short and long-term knowledge gains in PCPs. We will also explore barriers that prevent optimized CKD care, including nephrology referrals. A 10-step checklist of CKD guidelines with companion tools will be used to support PCP awareness and provide an outline for care.
You are invited to participate in a research study. Approximately 300 primary care providers in Arkansas are needed to complete this study. This is one facet of the overall goal to improve CKD awareness in Arkansas. The results of this study will inform the development of further studies addressing an interactive CKD checklist to improve outpatient CKD care.
We have created four tools for stimulating CKD awareness and management strategies. These tools will be downloaded after the pre-test to all participating providers for their access.
Tools include:
- Provider CKD checklist: 10 steps for managing early CKD
- Rationale for the 10 steps: Rationale commentary addressing recommended goals of CKD management.
- Potential ICD codes that can be used when managing CKD patients and estimated reimbursement.
- Patient handout explaining why these tests may be ordered by their provider in clinic.
For educational training, you will be provided a one hour-long lecture didactic along with a review of the literature. The lecture is recorded on a video learn-on-demand (LOD) module. You will be awarded CME credits upon completion as described in the activity Information page within LOD. It is expected to take less than 30 minutes to read the provided literature review.
If you join the study, we will give you a checklist with rationale data for each recommendation as a practice improvement strategy. Each participant will complete a pre- and post-test on the day they read the checklists followed by another post-test after 6 months to assess the durability of knowledge gained and improvement if any in the management of the CKD patients within your practice. (No direct patient contact will be initiated by our team) We will send a six month follow-up email which will contain a link that will direct each participant into our database to fill out a survey. Results of this study may be used for presentations, posters, or publications. The publications will not contain any identifiable information that could be linked to a participant.
Your decision on whether or not to participate will have no bearing on your employment status.
Participation is completely voluntary. You are free not to participate or to withdraw at any time, for whatever reason. No matter what decision you make, there will be no penalty or loss of benefit to which you are entitled.
Completion of the survey will be taken as consent to use the data collected for the research described.
If you have any questions or concerns about the research study, you can contact Dr. Manisha Singh at 501-240-5804. If you can’t reach Dr. Singh or would like to speak to someone not directly related to the study, you can contact the Institutional Review Board at 501-686-5667 with questions about your rights as a participant or to discuss any problems or concerns about the research.
Thank you for your time and dedication by helping UAMS achieve a goal to improve patient care.
You can access this Learn On Demand Module to participate using the link below: