Providing Resources to Enhance Patients' Readiness to Make Decisions About Kidney Disease: The PREPARE NOW Study

Providing Resources to Enhance Patients' Readiness to Make Decisions About Kidney Disease: Partnering to Break the News, Review All Options, Weigh Pros and Cons (PREPARE NOW)

This study evaluates the effectiveness of patient educational materials (a book and DVD) to help patients with chronic kidney disease make early, shared, and informed decisions about kidney replacement therapy. Half of the participants will receive the educational materials and half will receive usual care from their doctors.

The investigators will study the effectiveness of patient educational materials (a book and DVD, called the PREPARED materials) to help patients with chronic kidney disease make early, shared, and informed decisions about kidney replacement therapy. Half of the participants will receive the PREPARED materials and half will receive usual care from their doctors. PREPARED materials feature patients and their families discussing the pros and cons of different treatment options for kidney failure. The investigators will randomly assign patients already under the care of a nephrologist to receive the video and book or to receive their usual nephrology care. They will measure the degree to which patients in either study arm are prepared for kidney failure treatment at follow up.

Inclusion Criteria:

• 18 years or older
• English speaking
• Advanced kidney disease defined as an eGFR < 20 mL/min/1.73m2 at their last clinical appointment with their nephrologist
• Have not initiated a Renal Replacement Therapy

Exclusion Criteria:

• Cannot speak English
• Have initiated Renal Replacement Therapy