Patient satisfaction with nurse-led chronic kidney disease clinics: A multicentre evaluation.
BACKGROUND
There is growing international evidence that nurse-led chronic kidney disease (CKD) clinics provide a comprehensive approach to achieving clinical targets effective in slowing the progression of CKD. Across Queensland, Australia, these clinics have been established in many renal outpatient departments although patient satisfaction with these clinics is unknown.


OBJECTIVE
To measure patient satisfaction levels with CKD nurse-led clinics.


METHODS
This was a cross-sectional study undertaken at five clinics located in metropolitan, regional and remote hospitals in Queensland. Participants were >18 years of age (no upper age limit) with CKD (non-dialysis) who attended CKD nurse-led clinics over a six month period (N = 873). They completed the Nurse Practitioner Patient Satisfaction questionnaire which was modified for CKD.


RESULTS
The response rate was 64.3 % (n = 561); half of the respondents were male (55.5 %), there was a median age range of 71-80 years (43.5 %) and most respondents were pensioners or retired (84.2 %). While the majority reported that they were highly satisfied with the quality of care provided by the nurse (83.8 %), we detected differences in some aspects of satisfaction between genders, age groups and familiarity with the nurse. Overall, patients' comments were highly positive with a few improvements to the service being suggested; these related to car-parking, providing more practical support, and having accessible locations.


CONCLUSIONS
In an era of person-centred care, it is important to measure patient satisfaction using appropriate and standardised questionnaires. Our results highlight that, to improve services, communication strategies should be optimised in nurse-led clinics.
Kidney Health Service, Metro North Hospital and Health Services, Brisbane, Australia.|Chronic Kidney Disease Centre of Research Excellence, University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia.
Sonya
S
Coleman
Chronic Kidney Disease Centre of Research Excellence, University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia.|School of Nursing, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, Australia.
Kathryn
K
Havas
Department of Nephrology, Princess Alexandra Hospital, Brisbane, Australia.
Susanne
S
Ersham
Chronic Kidney Disease Centre of Research Excellence, University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia.|Renal Service, Logan Hospital, Brisbane, Australia.
Cassandra
C
Stone
Kidney Health Service, Metro North Hospital and Health Services, Brisbane, Australia.|Chronic Kidney Disease Centre of Research Excellence, University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia.
Berndatte
B
Taylor
Chronic Kidney Disease Centre of Research Excellence, University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia.|Renal Unit, The Townsville Hospital, Townsville, Australia.
Anne
A
Graham
Chronic Kidney Disease Centre of Research Excellence, University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia.|Renal Unit, Gold Coast University Hospital, Surfers Paradise, Australia.
Lorraine
L
Bublitz
Chronic Kidney Disease Centre of Research Excellence, University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia.|School of Nursing, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, Australia.
Louise
L
Purtell
Kidney Health Service, Metro North Hospital and Health Services, Brisbane, Australia.|Chronic Kidney Disease Centre of Research Excellence, University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia.|School of Nursing, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, Australia.
Ann
A
Bonner
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D057184:Practice Patterns, Nurses' / Q000592:standards*; D058996:Quality Improvement; D011793:Queensland; D051436:Renal Insufficiency, Chronic / Q000451:nursing*; D040242:Risk Reduction Behavior; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
Chronic kidney disease; Nurse-led clinics; Patient satisfaction