SURVEY OF STAFF OPINIONS ABOUT EXTENDED HAEMODIALYSIS TREATMENT TIME AND SERVICE IMPLICATIONS

Area of Science:

• Nephrology
• Clinical Trial Recruitment
• Healthcare Service Delivery

Background:

• Investigated staff opinions and service provision impacting patient recruitment for clinical trials on extended haemodialysis (HD) treatment time (TT).
• Clinical trial focused on comparing six-hour versus four-hour TT over twenty-four weeks.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess the influence of healthcare staff perspectives and service constraints on patient willingness to enroll in extended haemodialysis treatment trials.
• To understand staff views on the clinical benefits, tolerance, prescription, and accommodation of extended TT in in-center HD programs.

Main Methods:

• Conducted a local survey of dialysis nurses and a national survey of multidisciplinary HD staff.
• Assessed opinions on clinical benefits, tolerance, prescription, and feasibility of extended TT in in-center HD.

Main Results:

• Majority of respondents viewed extended TT as clinically beneficial.
• Significant difference in recommendation rates: 42% of nurses vs. 95% of non-nursing professionals (p < 0.0001).
• Nurses cited negative impacts on service provision, shift management, and session availability.

Conclusions:

• A discrepancy exists between the recognized clinical benefits of extended TT and its actual prescription and delivery.
• Staff attitudes and service provision significantly influence enrollment in HD delivery strategy studies.
• Flexible settings, such as home HD, may be necessary to accommodate longer treatment times, moving beyond traditional in-center models.