PALLIATIVE CARE AND CONSERVATIVE KIDNEY MANAGEMENT PROGRAMS
​Palliative care and Conservative Kidney Management programs are approaches that focus on improving the quality of life for individuals with advanced kidney disease, particularly those who may not be suitable candidates for or do not wish to pursue aggressive treatments like dialysis or transplantation. These programs aim to provide comprehensive support, symptom management, and care coordination for patients and their families.
Here's an overview of palliative care and conservative kidney management:
PALLIATIVE CARE
Palliative care is a specialised medical approach that focuses on providing relief from symptoms and improving the quality of life for patients with serious illnesses, including advanced kidney disease. Key aspects of palliative care include:
Symptom Management
Palliative care teams work to alleviate symptoms such as pain, nausea, fatigue, shortness of breath, and psychological distress. They utilise a multidisciplinary approach to address physical, emotional, and spiritual needs.
Communication and Advance Care Planning
Palliative care professionals facilitate open and honest communication between patients, their families, and the healthcare team. They assist in discussions about treatment goals, preferences, and end-of-life decisions, ensuring that care aligns with the patient's values and wishes.
Psychosocial and Emotional Support
Palliative care teams provide emotional support to patients and their families, addressing anxiety, depression, grief, and other psychological concerns. They offer counselling, assistance with coping strategies, and resources for emotional well-being.
Care Coordination
Palliative care professionals collaborate with the primary care team and specialists to ensure coordinated care. They help with care transitions, provide education about the disease process, and facilitate access to supportive services such as home care or hospice (end of life care) if needed.
CONSERVATIVE KIDNEY MANAGEMENT
Conservative kidney management, also known as conservative care or supportive care, is an approach that focuses on optimising the management of advanced kidney disease without pursuing dialysis or transplantation. It is typically considered when the burdens and risks associated with these treatments outweigh the potential benefits for the individual. Key aspects of conservative kidney management include:
Symptom Control
The primary goal is to manage symptoms and complications associated with kidney disease effectively. This may include dietary modifications, medications to control blood pressure, anemia (low red blood cell count), bone disease, and the management of fluid and electrolyte imbalances.
Shared Decision-Making
Healthcare providers engage in shared decision-making with the patient to understand their preferences, values, and goals. They discuss the potential benefits and burdens of different treatment options, considering the individual's quality of life, symptom burden, and personal circumstances.
Monitoring and Supportive Care
Regular monitoring of kidney function, symptom assessment, and management of complications are essential components of conservative kidney management. Supportive care focuses on providing comfort, addressing symptoms, and improving quality of life.
Advance Care Planning
Discussions about advance care planning, including end-of-life care preferences and goals, are important components of conservative kidney management. This ensures that care aligns with the patient's wishes and enables them to make informed decisions about their future care.
Both palliative care and conservative kidney management aim to provide patient-centred care, optimise symptom management, improve quality of life, and support patients and their families in making decisions that align with their values and goals. These approaches recognise the importance of holistic care and support throughout the disease trajectory and patient journey, whether or not curative treatments are pursued.
At RHS, we value the importance of Palliative Care and Conservative Kidney Management, for patients who will be more suited to these treatment options. With an aging population, having an emphasis on quality of life and dignified end of life care, these programs offer much needed support to our patients suffering from Kidney Failure. We have a multi-disciplinary team of specialists and healthcare professionals who can advise you on your suitability and options for such programs. Such programs are helmed at the highest level by Palliative Care Specialists and Kidney Specialists, with vast experience and leadership roles to effectively sustain such patient care.
