Utilizing Community Programs to Build Kidney Disease Self-Management Skills.

Kidney disease self-management relies on patient knowledge and self-efficacy to develop skills for day-to-day care of their chronic condition(s). The Chronic Disease Self-Management Program (CDSMP) is effective in promoting chronic disease self-management among people with a variety of health conditions, but has not been studied among people with kidney disease. In 2016, the National Kidney Foundation of Michigan (NKFM) collaborated with Metro Detroit transplant programs to offer the CDSMP for people living with kidney disease and their caregivers. The study examined the effectiveness of the CDSMP with kidney disease patients by adding two kidney disease-specific sessions. A total of 45 people participated in the pilot program. Results included improvements in patient activation and self-efficacy to manage kidney disease. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]