The Interdisciplinary Chronic Kidney Disease Clinic

The CKD clinic has emerged as an interdisciplinary care (IDC) model that encompasses patient education, medical management of CKD complications and progression risk factors and quality improvement. The CKD clinic team may include physicians, advanced practice providers, nurses, dietitians, pharmacists and social workers. Team structure and clinic goals should be tailored to local practice needs. Common goals include CKD education, RRT planning and treatment of complications of CKD based on national/international guidelines. Data suggest that CKD clinics improve CKD and RRT education and lead to greater rates of home dialysis and permanent access placement. Long-term studies are needed to determine if CKD clinics provide a beneficial effect on preserving kidney function. Financing CKD clinics remains problematic as many insurers do not pay for IDC services. The long-term viability of the CKD clinic model may ultimately depend on demonstrating effectiveness and a reduction in overall patient care costs.