Educational factors affecting modality selection: a National Kidney Foundation study

Patient education has been found to have significant positive effects in a multitude of studies. The National Kidney Foundation undertook a study to examine the various factors that impact upon treatment modality selection, with this paper focusing specifically on the study's educational components. The majority of these respondents reported receiving an adequate amount of information, yet routinely they were not offered information on all treatments available to them. While most indicated being educated by one-to-one discussions, other methods were also employed. Those responding were most likely to receive education from nephrologists, however, nursing was involved with 46% of the participants.