Inter-disciplinary care (IDC) approach to treat kidney patients -

Inter-disciplinary care (IDC) approach to treat kidney patients is very helpful in tackling the growing kidney burden in the country.

Worldwide, 850 million people are now estimated to have kidney diseases from various causes with chronic kidney disease (CKD) causes at least 2.4 million deaths worldwide per year and is now the 6th fastest growing cause of death.

A holistic Inter-disciplinary care (IDC)approach to treat kidney patients will be very helpful in tackling the growing kidney burden in the country. IDC is a coordinated, patient-centered approach that integrates separate disciplines to achieve common goals. This multi-disciplinary approach to Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) care will entails nephrologists and other health care providers from different disciplines (e.g.physician extenders, pharmacists, social workers, and dieticians) collaboratively implementing evidence-based guideline-driven protocols in CKD care.

In India, CKD affects around -10% of the adult population and it is estimated that every year 2.2 lakh new patients of End Stage Renal Disease (ESRD) get added in the country. Some of the major factors that increase the risk of CKD are Diabetes, High blood pressure, Heart and blood vessel (cardiovascular) disease, obesity, abnormal kidney structure, old age etc. It is imperative to follow an Inter-disciplinary plan in treating the condition as well as monitoring it.

The Interdisciplinary care for patients :

The Interdisciplinary care for patients with progressive kidney diseases will include dietary counselling, medication and adherence review, dialysis access placement, transplant coordination, advance planning and treatment option education. Interdisciplinary care plans are detailed plans of care created by representatives from several medical disciplines or specialties, each focused on a specific patient’s condition, treatment goals, and methods for improving outcomes. As part of the care planning process, input from each provider is taken into consideration and weighed against the benefits and risks to the patient.

The main aspect of it is to treat and control factors that damage the kidneys more. An interdisciplinary care approach will help patients set ups plans in coordination with the patients and work closely with other advanced practice professionals who can monitor important levels of electrolytes, minerals, and fluids to make sure that patients are maintaining proper nutrition while limiting the load on their kidney and other bodily systems. The diets for dialysis patients are especially strict and should be taken extremely seriously in order avoid further complications.