Physicians call for earlier testing for CKD associated with type 2 diabetes
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A survey conducted by Bayer reveals physicians agree there is a need for earlier testing and more transparent communication with patients who have chronic kidney disease associated with type 2 diabetes.
The findings were shared on World Kidney Day in a press release.
“Research has shown that comanagement between a primary care physician and a nephrologist is associated with improved quality of care, delayed dialysis and more frequent testing, but we wanted to more deeply understand some of the challenges the treatment team faced in an effort to incite conversations about how we can improve on them,” German Guerrero, MD, executive medical director at Cardiorenal, Bayer, said in the release.
In a Bayer survey aimed at understanding the attitudes and challenges faced by health care professionals (HCPs) in diagnosing, managing and treating CKD associated with type 2 diabetes, researchers queried 1,000 respondents. Respondents consisted of nephrologists (n=200), PCPs (n=500), nurse practitioners and physician assistants (n=300).
The online survey was 15 minutes and was conducted between Jan. 20 and Feb. 16. Questions asked about the kind of barriers and disparities that exist in these practices to improve treatment and the current collaborative care practices.
Responses revealed that HCPs reported that care can be improved and patients with type 2 diabetes need to be tested for CKD more often and earlier. Additionally, PCPs and nephrologists showed different opinions about who should be the lead medical professional organizing treatment and management. Nephrologists reported that they should be the lead HCP, whereas PCPs reported it as their role.
Further, 84% of HCPs agreed patients are often unprepared for their diagnosis and 88% agreed they need to use more transparent language when talking about CKD risk with patients who have type 2 diabetes.
The top challenges HCPs reported facing were how patients are confused about who to go to for what (77%), lack of timely communication (64%), limited access to other HCPs (58%) and unclear roles and responsibilities between HCPs (58%).
“These findings reinforce the importance of our commitment to identifying resources and programs aimed at better understanding the real-world management of CKD and expanding screening and early care management,” Guerrero said. “Together — with health care professionals and the broader kidney community — we have an opportunity to improve the diagnosis and management of CKD to truly advance care.”
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