Table 1 Examples of Nephrologist Interview Questions
Past Experience • Tell me about a recent or memorable experience with an elderly patient of yours whose kidney disease progressed such that his/her kidneys failed. Communication/Decision-making • When an older adult has advanced kidney disease that is progressing towards renal failure, tell me about how you approach this situation. • Tell me about how decisions are made about treatment of older adults’ kidney disease as it progresses towards renal failure. Perceptions of Choice about Dialysis Initiation • Patients often express that they feel they have no choice but to start dialysis. What do you think of this and why do you think they feel this way? • Tell me about what you would say if a patient expressed this feeling of no choice to you. Conservative Non-Dialytic Management • Tell me about your perspective on conservative non-dialytic management for ESKD. • Tell me about any experiences you have had with patients receiving conservative non-dialytic management for ESKD. Quality of Life with Different Treatment Options • Tell me about your sense of quality of life for patients who elect dialysis vs. conservative management |