The American Kidney Fund (AKF) has released a new set of resources as part of its Kidney Health for All initiative that can support healthcare professionals in discussing kidney health and treatment options with patients. The materials, available in English and Spanish, focus on key topics relevant to kidney care, including home dialysis, clinical trial participation, organ and tissue donation, and family health history.
The resources include updated and expanded tools to facilitate patient-professional discussions. “Empowering Choices: Your guide to making the best dialysis decisions for you” is an updated version of AKF’s Home Dialysis Decision Aid, helping patients understand the benefits and challenges of different dialysis modalities, including home therapies, and supporting informed decision-making. Professional-focused guides assist clinicians in discussing home dialysis and clinical trial participation in a culturally sensitive, patient-centered manner. Companion materials for patients outline what clinical trials involve, questions to ask, and tips for ensuring comprehension, helping professionals engage patients in meaningful conversations about participation.
Additional materials for patients address myths about organ and tissue donation and the importance of knowing your family’s health history, a critical component of risk assessment for kidney disease. A video featuring Pranav Garimella, MBBS, MPH, AKF chief medical officer, demonstrates strategies for patients to ask questions of their doctors, including addressing potentially sensitive topics.
