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Introduction Little is known about the factors that contribute to the successful uptake of home dialysis, although increased utility costs have been identified as one possible factor affecting the decision to take up home dialysis. This paper reports on quantitative survey data collected during an Australian multi-centre observational study that aimed to identify factors that either facilitate or inhibit the uptake of home dialysis from patients’ perspectives. Method This paper provides a quantitative analysis of survey responses that dealt with the question of how cost is experienced by those on dialysis, whether home or hospital. 138 participants were recruited from five dialysis centres. All forms of dialysis treatment were included. The survey was purposely designed to gain insight into how home dialysis is perceived and/or experienced. Survey responses were counted, ranked and summarised. Result Quantitative measures reported in this paper identify obstacles and facilitators to home dialysis. While costs were a concern for some home dialysis patients, cost alone did not explain treatment decisions. Support and medical advice were reported as more common factors affecting treatment decisions. Discussion & Conclusion The quantitative analysis of results shown in this paper indicates that cost does not determine treatment decisions for these dialysis patients in Australia. This finding lends support to at least maintaining the financial support offered to Australian patients as they prepare for home dialysis. Ongoing costs were documented and the results shown here provide justification for additional assistance in the form of payouts to dialysis patients on low incomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Peritoneal dialysis (PD) is a home-based therapy where nurses train patients in its use. There has been no published randomized controlled trial (RCT) evaluating any specific protocol for nurses delivering PD training. A standardized education package based upon the best available evidence and utilizing modern educational practices may lead to improved patient outcomes. The aim is to develop a standardized, evidence-based curriculum for PD trainers and patients aligned with guidelines from the International Society for Peritoneal Dialysis (ISPD), using best practice pedagogy., Methods: A literature search and clinical audit were conducted to identify current practice patterns and best practice. Results were reviewed by a focus group of practitioners comprising PD nurses, nephrologists, consumers, a medical education expert, and an eLearning expert. From this, a training curriculum and modules were developed., Results: A comprehensive PD training curriculum has been developed, which includes modules for training PD nurses (trainers) and patient training manuals. The package comprises 2 introductory modules and 2 clinical case modules. The curriculum is designed for both interactive digital media (trainers) and traditional paper-based teaching with practical demonstrations (patients). Assessment is also addressed., Conclusion: The need for the development of a comprehensive and standardized curriculum for PD nurse trainers and their patients was confirmed. This paper outlines the process of the development of this curriculum. Pilot testing of the modules was launched in late 2017 to examine feasibility, and planning has commenced for a RCT in 2019 to investigate the effect of the modules on clinical outcomes, and their wider application across Australia and New Zealand., (Copyright © 2019 International Society for Peritoneal Dialysis.)