title: Integrating palliative care for patients with advanced chronic kidney disease: recent advances, remaining challenges.
abstract: Patients with ESRD have extensive and unique end-of-life care considerations and needs. Despite substantial advancements in renal palliative care over the past decade, much research is still required. Identifying CKD patients whose illness trajectory has shifted and would likely benefit from a palliative approach to care should be a priority of all nephrology programs. Further research on symptom management, the effectiveness of ACP, the life expectancy of conservatively managed and incident dialysis patients, anticipated changes in functional status and HRQL with the initiation of dialysis (especially among the frail elderly), and the best way to deliver renal palliative care is required to maximize the integration and effectiveness of renal palliative care services.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine and Institute of Health Economics, University of Alberta, 11-107 Clinical Sciences Building, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada T6G 2G3. sara.davison@ualberta.ca
authors.forename: Sara N
authors.initials: SN
authors.lastname: Davison
mesh_terms: D032722:Advance Care Planning; D000368:Aged; D019033:Delivery of Health Care, Integrated / Q000458:organization & administration*; D016330:Frail Elderly; D017051:Hospice Care; D006801:Humans; D007676:Kidney Failure, Chronic / Q000523:psychology* / Q000628:therapy*; D008017:Life Expectancy; D010147:Pain Measurement; D010166:Palliative Care; D011379:Prognosis; D011788:Quality of Life; D006435:Renal Dialysis; D014944:World Health Organization