ABSTRACT
ABSTRACT Introduction Many people living with chronic kidney disease (CKD) are expected to self-manage their condition. Patient activation is the term given to describe the knowledge, skills, and confidence a person has in managing their own health and is closely related to the engagement in preventive health behaviors. Self-management interventions have the potential to improve remote disease management and health outcomes. We are testing an evidence- and theory-based digital self-management structured 10-week programme developed for CKD patients called ‘My Kidneys & Me’. The primary aim of the study (SMILE-K) is to assess the effect on patient activation levels. Methods and analysis A single-blind randomised control trial (RCT) with a nested pilot study will assess the feasibility of the intervention and study design before continuation to a full RCT. Individuals aged 18 years or older, with established CKD stage 3-4 (eGFR of 15-59 ml/min/1.73m 2 ) will be recruited through both primary and secondary care pathways. Participants will be randomised into two groups: intervention group and control group. The primary outcome is the Patient Activation Measure (PAM-13). The full RCT will assess the effect of the programme on online self-reported outcomes which will be assessed at baseline, after 10-weeks, and then after 20-weeks in both groups. A total sample size of n=432 participants are required based on a 2:1 randomisation. A sub-study will measure physiological changes (e.g., muscle mass, physical function) and patient experience (qualitative semi-structured interviews). Ethics and dissemination This study was fully approved by the Research Ethics Committee-Leicester South on the 19/11/2020 (reference: 17/EM/0357). All participants are required to provide informed consent obtained online. The results are expected to be published in scientific journals and presented at clinical research conferences. This is protocol version 1.0 dated 27/01/2021. Trial registration number The study was prospectively registered as ISRCTN18314195 in December 2020.
Subject(s)
Kidney DiseasesABSTRACT
Background: During 2020, UK maternity services made changes to service delivery in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Aims: To explore service users' and their partners' experiences of maternity services in the North of England during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: Respondents (n=606) completed a co-produced survey during August 2020. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics and content analysis. Findings: Five major categories were identified: valuing support from health professionals, feeling lost in and let down by the system, the impact of restrictions to partners and others, virtual contact is not the same as in-person contact, and the need for emotional and psychological wellbeing support. Conclusion: The changes implemented may have compromised mental health and wellbeing in a critical period of vulnerability. Bringing stakeholders together can maximise learning from the emergency measures, to better inform future service provision. Work is needed to better hear from minoritised groups and ensure they are not further marginalised by changes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] Copyright of British Journal of Midwifery is the property of Mark Allen Holdings Limited and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)