Referring patients with stable moderate-to-advanced chronic kidney disease back to primary care: a feasibility study.

Background: Care for patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) necessitates tailored pathways between primary and secondary care. It is unknown if back referring patients with CKD is safe and effective.

Aim: To study the feasibility of discharging patients with stable moderate-to-advanced CKD from secondary to primary care, and to evaluate quality of care (QoC) and patients' and GPs' experiences.

Referring patients with chronic kidney disease back to primary care: a criteria-based analysis in outpatient renal clinics.

Background: The increased demand for nephrology care for patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) necessitates a critical review of the need for secondary care facilities and the possibilities for referral back to primary care. This study aimed to evaluate the characteristics and numbers of patients who could potentially be referred back to primary care, using predefined criteria developed by nephrologists and general practitioners.

Method: We organised a consensus meeting with eight nephrologists and two general practitioners to define the back referral (BR) criteria, and performed a retrospective cohort study reviewing records from patients under nephrologist care in three hospitals.

What Patients with Mild-to-Moderate Kidney Disease Know, Think, and Feel about Their Disease: An In-Depth Interview Study.

Introduction: It is unknown what patients in primary care with mild-to-moderate chronic kidney disease (CKD) know, think, and feel about their diagnoses and how they value the information provided. The aim of the study was to explore their knowledge, thoughts, and experiences concerning their CKD and the information given to them.

Method: Qualitative interview study with patients with mild-to-moderate CKD who know their diagnoses and are treated mainly by family physicians.

General practitioners' perspectives on management of early-stage chronic kidney disease: a focus group study.

Background: Guideline adherence in chronic kidney disease management is low, despite guideline implementation initiatives. Knowing general practitioners' (GPs') perspectives of management of early-stage chronic kidney disease (CKD) and the applicability of the national interdisciplinary guideline could support strategies to improve quality of care.

Method: Qualitative focus group study with 27 GPs in the Netherlands.

Adherence to chronic kidney disease guidelines in primary care patients is associated with comorbidity.

Background: GPs insufficiently follow guidelines regarding consultation and referral for chronic kidney disease (CKD).

Objective: To identify patient characteristics and quality of care (QoC) in CKD patients with whom consultation and referral recommendations were not followed.

Method: A 14 month prospective observational cohort study of primary care patients with CKD stage 3-5.