At Aarhus University Hospital we have developed an intervention based on shared decision-making for patients facing a choice of dialysis modality. The intervention is supposed to be tailored to individual patients and consists of three meetings with a dialysis coordinator who introduces a patient decision aid named 'Dialysis Choice' to the patient. The purpose of the intervention was to involve the patient in the decision-making process and to ensure that the patient received the most suitable treatment.

Thís PhD project evaluates the complex intervention, SDM-DC. The intervention has been implemented at four different hospitals in Denmark. Both a qualitative and a quantitative evaluation have been conduced. The focus in the evaluation has been on the outcome and the process.

The objective of this evaluation project was to investigate how SDM-DC influence if the patients 1) experience involvement in the choice of treatment 2) take care of their own health in relation to their kidney disease, and 3) involve themselves in their treatment and care. In addition, the purpose was to investigate the impact of SDM-DC on the number of patients who choose home dialysis and maintains the choice.

Researcher:

• Jeanette Finderup
  Clinical nurse specialist, postdoc, PhD