Software report that records and displays the domains of physical functioning for dialysis patients to inform clinicians' shared decision making.
Dialysis is a procedure that removes wastes and fluid from the blood, and is used to treat patients with kidney failure. Dialysis is an intensive process that involves initial surgery, a strict diet, and is often required for the rest of the patient's life. Patients on dialysis are often limited in their performance of physical tasks, such as eating, walking, and maintaining personal hygiene. Patients also tend to decline in physical function as their disease progresses. The patient's quality of life almost always suffers when they begin dialysis.
Shared decision making (SDM) is a process in which clinicians and patients work together to make decisions based on clinical evidence that balances risks and expected outcomes with patient preferences and values. SDM not only improves the relationship between the clinician and patient, but also improves the patient's confidence in decision-making and patient involvement. Researchers have developed an app-based, individualized physical functioning report, named INFORMED, designed to increase SDM between dialysis patients and their providers. This mobile application captures user-entered data on a variety of domains of physical functioning and translates it into a printable report. The app is designed to inform both patient and provider about current levels of physical functioning and encourage incorporation of this information into patient-provider communication and shared decision-making. This has potential to measure and contextualize physical functioning information, as well as track changes in functioning over time, while improving the patient experience.
Mobile app has been developed and has been used in pilot study of dialysis patients. It is currently being modified for use in another chronic disease population (lupus patients) and is potentially usable in many patient populations.