Family Practice Advance Access originally published online on June 24, 2007
Family Practice 2007 24(4):330-335; doi:10.1093/fampra/cmm026
Kidney disease management in UK primary care: guidelines, incentives and Information Technology
a Department of Renal Medicine, Kent and Canterbury Hospital, Ethelbert Road, Canterbury, Kent, CT1 3NG
b Computing Department, Cornwallis South, University of Kent, Canterbury, Kent, CT2 7NF
c Primary Care Informatics, Department of Community Health Sciences, St Georges Hospital Medical School, London, SW17 0RE
d Department of Renal Medicine, Hope Hospital, Salford, Stott Lane, Salford, Greater Manchester, M6 8HD
e Department of Diabetes, Hope Hospital, Salford, Stott Lane, Salford, Greater Manchester, M6 8HD
Correspondence to: B Klebe, Department of Renal Medicine, Kent and Canterbury Hospital, Ethelbert Road, Canterbury, Kent, CT1 3NG; Email: bernhard.klebe{at}ekht.nhs.uk
Received 11 May 2006; Revised 23 March 2007; Accepted 30 April 2007.
 |
Abstract |
|---|
The last few years have seen new developments to understand and tackle the significant public health issue posed by chronic kidney disease (CKD). Established renal disease currently consumes 2% of the UK National Health Service budget and predictions are that this figure will increase significantly due to the rising number of people requiring renal replacement therapy fuelled by the ageing population and the diabetes mellitus epidemic.
This paper reviews the scale of CKD and discusses the new developments such as staging, referral guidelines and new Department of Health incentives brought about to improve awareness. The importance of Information Technology in assisting the management of renal disease is also outlined. We identify various types of intervention which might be used to do this: feedback in an educational context, the establishment of computerized decision support and enhancement of the patient journey. Many principles may be extended to the management of any chronic disease. While new developments are necessary to improve care, wider implementation is required to be able to see if improved outcomes are achieved.
Keywords. Chronic kidney disease, glomerular filtration rate, National Service Framework, Quality and Outcomes Framework, Information Technology.
Klebe B, Farmer C, Cooley R, de Lusignan S, Middleton R, O'Donoghue D, New J and Stevens P. Kidney disease management in UK primary care: guidelines, incentives and information technology. Family Practice 2007; 24: 330–335.