During the COVID-19 pandemic, most appointments and consultations were provided remotely via phone calls, video calls or through messaging services.
Around 25% - 50% of kidney appointments in the UK are still conducted remotely, with wide variation between hospitals and type of clinic. Advanced kidney care (pre-dialysis) or transplant clinics, for example, are more likely to be remote. GP appointments are still 32% remote (NHS Digital, November 2023).
The Improving the delivery of remote kidney care appointments for underserved groups study from London South Bank University, supported by Kidney Care UK, has explored kidney patients' experiences of remote appointments. Study findings have informed the development of a Remote Kidney Care Toolkit.
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Using the Remote Kidney Care Toolkit
The Remote Kidney Care Toolkit has been developed in consultation with clinicians and patients to support and improve the delivery of remote kidney care.
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When to use remote versus face-to-face appointments
Use your clinical judgement and work with your patient to evaluate the suitability of remote appointments for their care. Our consultations appropriateness checklist suggests the main points to consider.
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What do patients expect during a remote appointment?
Successful remote kidney care requires the replication of face-to-face communication in remote appointments, with particular attention paid to the interpersonal communication and rapport needed to develop ‘digital intimacy’ with patients.
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Helping patients get the most out of remote appointments
Poor quality of appointments can contribute to a lack of trust in healthcare professionals and the healthcare system, so strategies to improve appointment quality are critical for efficient and effective remote kidney care.
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Top tips for remote consultations with people from underserved groups
While online appointments can be beneficial, optimisation of remote kidney care services is required to ensure patients from different underserved groups can have the same experience and outcome as those who do not have specific needs.
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Patient video: Advice for your digital or phone appointment
Kidney patients David, Sarita and Chetan share their tips for getting the best from a remote kidney care appointment with their healthcare team.
Remote kidney care: getting the best from your appointment
More Kidney Care UK support for health professionals
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Health professionals
If you're a health professional involved with kidney patients, Kidney Care UK offers resources to support your work, from free patient information materials to CPD webinars and services.
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Hospital Grants
Kidney Care UK is the UK’s leading kidney patient support charity, working to improve the quality of life for people affected by kidney disease. One of the ways we support kidney patients is through our Hospital Grants programme, which aims to improve patient outcomes by funding improvements to kidney services.
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Improving peer support for kidney patients
Compiled by Professor of Kidney Care Nicola Thomas and Renal Nurse Consultant Eleri Wood, the Peer Support Toolkit aims to improve the uptake of peer support for kidney patients in the UK.