Cricket Health’s virtual care program may improve understanding of CKD
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Cricket Health’s virtual care program can improve patient knowledge about chronic kidney disease, increase interest in home dialysis and may increase the proportion of dialysis starts in the outpatient setting, according to a study.
Cricket’s virtual care program provides patients with online education materials and a virtual multidisciplinary team that works with nephrologists and primary care providers, including a nurse, pharmacist, social worker, dietician and patient mentors, according to a company press release.
“In this study, Samaritan researchers found that our virtual program can effectively educate patients on their condition, help them understand their treatment options, and, in some cases, help them avoid starting dialysis in the hospital,” Carmen Peralta, MD, Cricket Health’s chief medical officer and study co-author, said in the release. “ ... People live with chronic kidney disease every day, not just when they’re visiting a doctor’s office. Better engaging patients through digital tools will help them manage their condition beyond the four walls of a clinic.”
According to the release, the study conducted by Samaritan Health Services found 80% of patients who started dialysis did so in an outpatient setting after both the pre-specified 9-month and extended follow-ups compared to 20% to 22% of the control group after each, respectively.
When given a kidney disease survey, patients answered an average of 94% questions correctly compared with 52% among the control group. Researchers found patients who completed the program were more knowledgeable about CKD and were more likely to choose home dialysis as their first dialysis choice.
“Our current kidney care system too often takes a one-size-fits-all approach, but we’re working to change that,” Arvid Rajan, Cricket Health CEO, said in the release. “Cricket’s virtual program is part of our patient-centered, personalized approach that empowers patients to make informed decisions and remain engaged throughout their care journey with a team that is accessible online, at-home or at their local clinic.”
Reference:
www.crickethealth.com/cricket-health-publishes-study-on-virtual-multidisciplinary-kidney-care-program/