These videos show actual doctors working through common challenges they face when preparing patients for kidney replacement therapy. Meet the patients and watch these doctors Break the News to their patients about needing kidney replacement therapy, help their patients Review their Kidney Replacement Options, and Weigh the Pros and Cons of various treatments.
Meet The Patients:
Meet Mrs. Jones
Mrs. Jones is a 64 year old African American female with Stage IV Chronic Kidney Disease and an eGFR of 15. She has no other terminal illnesses. She is fearful of kidney disease because her sister died while she was on in-center hemodialysis. Ms. Jones thinks that her kidneys may get better, and prefers to use complementary and alternative medicine like herbs to treat her disease. The nephrologist has seen her three times over the last few months.
Meet Mr. Smith
Mr. Smith was just recently referred to the nephrology practice by his Primary Care Provider (PCP). He is 64 years old and a Vietnam War veteran. He has been working as a bus driver for Baltimore City Transit the past 30 years and is just one year shy of retirement.
He has been told that he has Stage IV Chronic Kidney Disease with an eGFR of 18. The nephrologist has seen him once before. During his earlier visit, the nephrologist explained kidney disease progression, and brought up the idea of preparing for kidney treatments, but Mr. Smith was reserved and non-committal about starting treatment of any kind. The PCP’s impression of Mr. Smith is that he is in denial about his kidney disease and he seems suspicious and distrustful.