Project ECHO: Chronic Kidney Disease Education: Teleplatform Challenges – Lessons Learned

Dr. Manisha Singh, Director of the Home Dialysis Program at the University of Arkansas, discussed the application of telehealth in educating patients about chronic kidney disease (CKD). As an academic researcher and educator, Dr. Singh shared insights from her experience leading the CKD Education Clinic and implementing telemedicine for CKD patients across the state. The pilot project aimed to compare face-to-face and telemedicine education platforms, focusing on comprehensive, multi-disciplinary patient education. Dr. Singh emphasized the importance of refining education materials to cater to the specific needs of the population. The project involved creating workbooks and slides for patients, facilitating their understanding of CKD and treatment modalities. The study found that both face-to-face and telemedicine groups experienced significant improvements in understanding CKD and selecting appropriate modalities. Notably, the home modality choice, which includes options like peritoneal dialysis and home hemodialysis, more than doubled in both groups. Dr. Singh highlighted the positive impact on patient decision-making, with a higher percentage choosing home modalities compared to national averages. The presentation demonstrated the success of using telehealth for CKD education, providing valuable insights into improving patient understanding and promoting informed decision-making in managing chronic kidney disease.