Adequacy between practice and European guidelines on hyponatremia: a survey among French nephrologists
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PROVIDER: S-EPMC9613430 | biostudies-literature | 2022 Apr
REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature
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Project description:IntroductionThe rapid advancement of artificial intelligence and big data analytics, including descriptive, diagnostic, predictive, and prescriptive analytics, has the potential to revolutionize many areas of medicine, including nephrology and dialysis. Artificial intelligence and big data analytics can be used to analyze large amounts of patient medical records, including laboratory results and imaging studies, to improve the accuracy of diagnosis, enhance early detection, identify patterns and trends, and personalize treatment plans for patients with kidney disease. Additionally, artificial intelligence and big data analytics can be used to identify patients' treatment who are not receiving adequate care, highlighting care inefficiencies in the dialysis provider, optimizing patient outcomes, reducing healthcare costs, and consequently creating values for all the involved stakeholders.ObjectivesWe present the results of a comprehensive survey aimed at exploring the attitudes of European physicians from eight countries working within a major hemodialysis network (Fresenius Medical Care NephroCare) toward the application of artificial intelligence in clinical practice.MethodsAn electronic survey on the implementation of artificial intelligence in hemodialysis clinics was distributed to 1,067 physicians. Of the 1,067 individuals invited to participate in the study, 404 (37.9%) professionals agreed to participate in the survey.ResultsThe survey showed that a substantial proportion of respondents believe that artificial intelligence has the potential to support physicians in reducing medical malpractice or mistakes.ConclusionWhile artificial intelligence's potential benefits are recognized in reducing medical errors and improving decision-making, concerns about treatment plan consistency, personalization, privacy, and the human aspects of patient care persist. Addressing these concerns will be crucial for successfully integrating artificial intelligence solutions in nephrology practice.
| S-EPMC10836740 | biostudies-literature
Project description:BackgroundThere is a variation in dialysis withdrawal rates, but reasons for this variation across European countries are largely unknown. We therefore surveyed nephrologists' perceptions of factors concerning dialysis withdrawal and palliative care and explored relationships between these perceptions and reports of whether withdrawal actually occurred in practice.MethodsWe developed a 33-item electronic survey, disseminated via an email blast to all European Renal Association-European Dialysis and Transplant Association (ERA-EDTA) members. In our data analyses, we distinguished those respondents who reported occurrence from those reporting no dialysis withdrawal in their unit. With multilevel logistic regression, we investigated the association between respondents' characteristics and perceptions and whether they reported occurrence of dialysis withdrawal or not.ResultsFive hundred and twenty-eight nephrologists from 45 countries completed the questionnaire; 42% reported occurrence of withdrawal in their unit in the past year, and 56% perceived that stopping life-prolonging treatment in terminally ill patients was allowed. Few respondents reported presence in their unit of protocols on withdrawal decision making (7%) or palliative care (10%) or the common involvement of a geriatrician in withdrawal decisions (10%). The majority stated that palliative care had not been part of their core curriculum (74%) and that they had not recently attended continuous medical education sessions on this topic (73%). Respondents from Eastern and Southern Europe had a 42 and 40% lower probability, respectively, of reporting withdrawal compared with those from North European countries. Working in a public centre [odds ratio (OR), 2.41; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.36-4.25] and respondents' perception that stopping life-prolonging treatment in terminally ill patients was allowed (OR, 1.96; 95% CI, 1.23-3.12), that withdrawal decisions were commonly shared between doctor and patient (OR, 1.97; 95% CI, 1.26-3.08) and that palliative care was reimbursed (OR, 1.81; 95% CI, 1.16-2.83) increased the odds of reporting occurrence of withdrawal.ConclusionReports of dialysis withdrawal occurrence varied between European countries. Occurrence reports were more likely if respondents worked in a public centre, if stopping life-prolonging treatments was perceived as allowed, if withdrawal decisions were considered shared between doctors and patients and if reimbursement of palliative care was believed to be in place. There is room for improvement regarding protocols on withdrawal and palliative care processes and regarding nephrologists' training and education on end-of-life care.
| S-EPMC4832993 | biostudies-literature
Project description:BackgroundThe lack of glomerulonephritis (GN) guidelines has historically contributed to substantial variability in the treatment of GN. We hypothesize that there are barriers to GN guideline implementation leading to incomplete translation of the 2012 KDIGO GN guidelines into patient care, and that current practice patterns deviate from guideline recommendations.MethodsAdult nephrologists in Canada (N = 390) were surveyed using a web-based tool. The survey of 40 questions captured physician demographics, self-reported GN case load, treatment approaches and barriers to guideline implementation.ResultsThe response rate was 44%. Physicians report seeing six (IQR 4,10) new cases of idiopathic GN every 6 months. The majority treat ANCA GN according to guidelines, but 9-37% treat nephrotic focal segmental glomerulosclerosis or membranous nephropathy with non-recommended immunosuppression and 6-9% do not treat with any immunotherapy, whereas 26% treat subnephrotic disease with immunosuppression. The majority indicated that standardized care tools would improve patient care, but they were only available to 25-44%. Patient education tools and nursing support are unavailable to 87 and 67%, respectively; insurance coverage for immune therapies is poorly accessible to 84%, yet 86% feel this would improve care and 96% of physicians support comparing their practice with benchmarks from provincial GN registries.ConclusionsWe show that 2 years after the publication of the KDIGO GN guidelines, 15-46% of Canadian nephrologists report treatment strategies not in keeping with guideline recommendations. We identify barriers to guideline implementation and widespread physician support for initiatives that address these barriers to improve patient care.
| S-EPMC4389141 | biostudies-literature
Project description:BackgroundIncremental hemodialysis, a strategy to individualize dialysis prescription based on residual kidney function, may be associated with enhanced quality of life and decreased health care costs compared with conventional hemodialysis.ObjectiveWe surveyed practicing Canadian nephrologists to assess knowledge, perceptions, and practice pattern on the use of incremental hemodialysis.Design/settingWe distributed a cross-sectional, web-based survey. We asked about incremental hemodialysis prescribing practices, including frequency of prescription, clinical factors used to determine suitability for treatment, and barriers to implementation. The survey was conducted from September 21 to October 30, 2020.ParticipantsWe distributed the survey to practicing Canadian nephrologists identified from a private membership list of the Canadian Society of Nephrology (CSN), as well as to nephrologists named on a publicly available national list of practicing Canadian nephrologists created from provincial College of Physician registries. These were samples of convenience.MethodsWe conducted descriptive analysis of categorical data including frequencies for nominal variables and measures of central tendency (mean) and dispersion (standard deviation) for ordinal variables. We used chi-square analysis to identify association between participant and practice characteristics and their opinions and attitudes toward incremental dialysis. We used simple thematic analysis on free-text responses on questions regarding the prescription of incremental hemodialysis, focusing on age and baseline management of cardiac and noncardiac comorbidities.ResultsThe response rate was 35% (243/691). Most (138/211, 65%) of the participants prescribed incremental hemodialysis using an individualized approach at the nephrologist's discretion. Most participants (200/203, 98%) did not report any policy for implementation. Residual urine output was identified as the most important factor for eligibility (112/172, 65%), followed by electrolyte stability (76/172, 44%) and patient goals of care (69/117, 40%). Most participants agreed that dialysis prescriptions should take residual kidney function into consideration; however, 74% of the participants disagreed with a statement that there was strong evidence supporting incremental hemodialysis. Barriers identified included patient safety, patient acceptance of dose escalation, and logistics of scheduling. Despite these barriers, 82% of participants felt that that incremental hemodialysis is feasible with their current resources and 78% agreed that with specific criteria, it is a safe option.LimitationsThe generalizability of our study is limited by its response rate of 35%; however, this is comparable with typical response rates seen in electronic surveys. Most participants practice in an academic setting, which may have introduced bias to the results.ConclusionsDespite the perception of limited evidence and a lack of guidance on implementation, incremental hemodialysis is frequently practiced by Canadian nephrologists. Barriers to implementation were identified, highlighting the need for research to guide practice.
| S-EPMC8689607 | biostudies-literature
Project description:UnlabelledThe objective of this study was to devise and implement a Europe-wide study on referral guidelines for radiological imaging in the EU Member States in order to identify potential major issues, important differences between Member States and good practices. A web-based survey was used to assess the availability of imaging referral guidelines, development methodology and preferences for future initiatives for European community action to facilitate justification and appropriate use of radiological diagnostic procedures. A questionnaire was distributed to representatives of national radiological and nuclear medicine societies as well as to competent authorities for radiation protection in 30 European countries, including all 28 EU Member States. Responses were collated and analysed to produce a series of conclusions and recommendations.Main messages• Survey respondents in 21/30 countries were aware of legal requirements for Guidelines • Survey respondents in 18/30 countries were aware of the availability of Guidelines in their country. • The majority of responders support the development of European Guidelines. These may either be from a combination of multiple national Guidelines with consensus or Pan-European Guidelines developed centrally. • Guidelines developed in two countries included all of the following important features: radiation dose information; specific advice for imaging children; specific advice for the pregnant woman/unborn child; an evidence-based process; a formal consensus for recommendations. • Suggestions for additional measures needed to reinforce the use of Guidelines include: educational initiatives; integrating Guidelines into clinical decision support systems; clinical audit for monitoring of the availability, use and implementation of Guidelines.
| S-EPMC3948911 | biostudies-literature
Project description: Not available
| S-EPMC9155225 | biostudies-literature
Project description:This study aimed to analyze clinical practices concerning cystic fibrosis-related diabetes (CFRD) screening in France. A web-based questionnaire was distributed between December 1, 2020 and January 31, 2021 among 47 cystic fibrosis centers including pediatric, adult, and mixed units. In accordance with guidelines, 92.8% of CF centers performed annual oral glucose tolerance tests (OGTT). Overall, 86.3% of CF centers performed 1- and 2-hour blood glucose determinations following OGTT. The OGTT was conducted before 10 years of age in 73% of pediatric centers. Continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) and laboratory glycated hemoglobin were employed for CFRD screening in 86.5% and 50% of centers, respectively. CGM was carried out in 69% of centers after glucose tolerance abnormalities had been detected in OGTT. Most CF centers used OGTT and CGM for CFRD screening. Studies are required to assess CGM usefulness as a validated tool in CFRD screening.
| S-EPMC9010626 | biostudies-literature
Project description:BackgroundPercutaneous kidney biopsy is the gold standard investigation for the diagnosis of kidney diseases. The associated risks of the procedure depend on the skill and experience of the proceduralist as well as the characteristics of the patient. The Kidney Health Australia - Caring for Australasians with Renal Impairment (KHA-CARI) guidelines on kidney biopsies, published in 2019, are the only published national kidney biopsy guidelines. As such, this study surveys current kidney biopsy practices in Australasia and examines how they align with the Australian guidelines, as well as international biopsy practice.MethodsA cross-sectional, multiple-choice questionnaire was developed examining precautions prior to kidney biopsy; rationalisation of medications prior to kidney biopsy; technical aspects of kidney biopsy; complications of kidney biopsy; and indications for kidney biopsy. This was distributed to all members of the Australian and New Zealand Society of Nephrology (ANZSN).ResultsThe response rate for this survey is approximately 21.4 % (182/850). Respondents found agreement (> 75.0 %) in only six out of the twelve questions (50.0 %) which assessed their practice against the KHA-CARI guidelines.ConclusionsThis is the first study of its kind where kidney biopsy practices are examined against a clinical guideline. Furthermore, responses showed that practices were incongruent with guidelines and that there was a lack of consensus on many issues.
| S-EPMC8390249 | biostudies-literature
Project description:For over four decades, it has been possible to offer prenatal diagnostic testing for fetal abnormalities. Prenatal testing is now available for a wide range of monogenic disorders as well as chromosomal abnormalities and should be provided within the ethical framework of informed consent and autonomous choice. However, there are no published guidelines for health professionals from varied disciplines who offer prenatal diagnosis (PND) in a range of possible settings including departments of maternity, obstetrics and clinical genetics. We used an Expert Group technique to develop a set of guidelines for provision of prenatal diagnostic services. Thirteen European health professionals, all experts in PND, participated in a workshop to develop the guidelines, which were then subjected to a wide consultation process. The objective of PND was defined as providing prenatal diagnostic testing services (for genetic conditions) that enable families to make informed choices consistent with their individual needs and values and which support them in dealing with the outcome of such testing. General principles, logistical considerations, clinical care and counselling topics are all described and are equally applicable to invasive and non-invasive testing. These guidelines provide a framework for ethical clinical care; however, they are flexible enough to enable practitioners to adapt them to their particular setting. Ideally, an individualised approach to each family is required to ensure autonomous choice and informed consent regarding prenatal diagnostic testing within the local ethical and legal framework.
| S-EPMC3992567 | biostudies-literature
Project description:With the widespread use of sensitive imaging techniques, which include neck visualization, a conspicuous number of thyroid nodules emerge and demand attention. Most lesions are benign, asymptomatic, and do not warrant treatment. In the case of cancer diagnosis, most are small, intrathyroidal and indolent neoplasms that can safely be managed conservatively. There is a pronounced need for more cost-effective, risk-adapted approaches to the management of this highly prevalent condition, taking the wishes of the patient into consideration. Thus, the present guidelines aim at providing a clinical practice guide for the initial workup and the subsequent management of adult individuals harboring thyroid nodules. Importantly, these guidelines are not intended to cover the management of thyroid malignancy. The manuscript and the specific recommendations were developed by reconciling the best available research evidence with the knowledge and clinical experience of the panelists and updating aspects of a number of previous European Thyroid Association guidelines.
| S-EPMC10448590 | biostudies-literature