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Background: Older patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) are less likely to choose peritoneal dialysis (PD) over hemodialysis (HD). The reasons behind their choice of dialysis modality are not clear. This study seeks to determine the patient-perceived factors that influence ESRD patients' choice of dialysis modality among older ESRD patients who are deemed eligible for both PD and HD. Methods: All patients had completed a multidisciplinary modality assessment, were deemed eligible for both PD and HD, and had received modality education. Semi-structured interviews were conducted and transcripts were read repeatedly to derive potential codes using line-by-line textual analysis. The Capability, Opportunity,Motivation- Behaviour (COM-B) and Theoretical Domain Framework (TDF),validated tools that were developed for designing behavioral change interventions, were used to help guide the coding framework. Results: Among older ESRD patients who are deemed eligible for both PD and HD,factors relevant to their modality decision-making were identified with respect to physical strength/dexterity and having a sound mind (capability), external forces and constraints (opportunity), and values and beliefs (motivation). Often a combination of factors led to an individual's choice of a particular dialysis modality. However, preferences for PD were primarily based around convenience and maintaining a normal life,while a heightened sense of security was the primary reason for those who selected HD. Conclusions: We have identified patient-perceived factors that influence choice of dialysis modality in older individuals with ESRD who are eligible for PD and HD. These factors should be considered and/or addressed within PD programs seeking to promote PD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background. Although primary care physicians (PCPs) are often responsible for the routine care of older adults with chronic kidney disease (CKD), there is a paucity of evidence regarding their perspectives and practice of conservative (non-dialysis) care. We undertook a qualitative study to describe barriers, facilitators and strategies to enhance conservative, non-dialysis, CKD care by PCPs in the community. Methods. Semi-structured telephone and face-to-face interviews were conducted with PCPs from Alberta, Canada. Participants were identified using a snowball sampling strategy and purposively sampled based on sex, age and rural/urban location of clinical practice. Eligible participants had managed at least one patient =75 years with Stage 5 CKD (estimated glomerular filtration rate <15 mL/min/1.73 m², not on dialysis) in the prior year. Participant recruitment ceased when data saturation was reached. Transcripts were analyzed thematically using conventional content analysis. Results. In total, 27 PCPs were interviewed. The majority were male (15/27), were aged 40-60 years (15/27) and had practiced in primary care for >20 years (14/27). Perceived barriers to conservative CKD care included: managing expectations of kidney failure for patients and their families; dealing with the complexity of medical management of patients requiring conservative care; and challenges associated with managing patients jointly with specialists. Factors that facilitated conservative CKD care included: establishing patient/family expectations early; preserving continuity of care; and utilizing a multidisciplinary teamapproach. Suggested strategies for improving conservative care included having: direct telephone access to clinicians familiar with conservative care; treatment decision aids for patients and their families; and a conservative care clinical pathway to guide management. Conclusions. PCPs identified important barriers and facilitators to conservative care for their older patients with Stage 5 CKD. Further investigation of potential strategies that address barriers and enable facilitators is required to improve the quality of conservative care for older adults in the community. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]