Photo Credit: Sean Anthony Eddy
The following is a summary of “A national survey of current rehabilitation service provisions for people living with chronic kidney disease in the UK: Implications for policy and practice,” published in the September 2024 issue of Nephrology by Ancliffe et al.
National guidelines highlight the importance of rehabilitation for improving outcomes in chronic kidney disease, but there is a lack of data on the U.K.’s rehab workforce.
Researchers conducted a prospective study exploring differences and best practices in kidney physiotherapy (P.T.), occupational therapy (O.T.), and clinical exercise physiology (CEP) to understand the barriers to putting these practices into action.
They sent an online survey to all 87 U.K. kidney units from June 2022 to January 2023. Data on therapy services, barriers, and COVID-19 impacts were collected. Descriptive statistics were used for quantitative data, and free-text responses were analyzed with thematic analysis.
The results showed that 45 units (52%) responded, 17 (38%) had a P.T., and 15 (33%) had an O.T. with a kidney specialty, while only 1 unit (7%) had a CEP. Inpatient therapy was offered by 30 units (67%), 10 (22%) had outpatient clinics, 6 (13%) provided intradialytic exercise, and 3 (7%) had outpatient rehab. The main barriers were funding and time, reported by 35 (85%) and 34 (83%) responders. The COVID-19 pandemic increased case complexity, reduced staffing, and service cuts, though hybrid digital and remote services were seen as positive innovations.
Investigators concluded that, despite known benefits, access to kidney-specific rehab services in the U.K. is limited and inconsistent. Urgent action is needed to ensure equitable access and help people with kidney disease live well.
Source: bmcnephrol.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12882-024-03742-4
