The Agenda-Setting for Kidney Disease Trial

Launched by DARTMOUTH-HITCHCOCK MEDICAL CENTER · Jun 9, 2025

Keywords

ClinConnect Summary

This clinical trial is studying a new tool called CKD Topics, designed to help people with advanced chronic kidney disease (CKD) talk more easily and clearly with their healthcare providers during clinic visits. CKD is a condition where the kidneys don’t work as well as they should, and this study focuses on people with more serious stages (stage 4 and 5). The researchers want to see if using this tool helps patients better guide the conversation with their doctors and feel more involved in decisions about their care, especially for those living in rural areas. Everyone in the study will experience both the usual care and the new tool at different times, so the researchers can compare how well the tool works.

Adults over 18 who have advanced CKD but are not yet on dialysis may be eligible to join, as well as their care partners and the clinic staff supporting them. Participants will attend regular outpatient visits, either in person or through telehealth (video or phone calls), and will use the CKD Topics tool during some visits. The study is not yet recruiting but aims to find out if this approach is doable and helpful before planning a larger trial. It’s important to know that only English-speaking adults who can give consent can take part, and children, dialysis patients, or those who can’t consent won’t be included.

Gender

ALL

Eligibility criteria

• Inclusion Criteria:
• • Adults \>18 years old who have been diagnosed with advanced CKD (stages 4-5).
• • Care partners, clinicians and staff supporting these CKD patients who are willing and able to provide informed consent
• • English-speaking
• • Able to provide informed consent
• • Patient must be attending outpatient visits \*(in-person and/or telehealth allowable).
• Exclusion Criteria:
• • Children under 18 years old will not be included
• • Non-English-speaking patients and/or care partners
• • Patients on dialysis
• • Individuals unable or unwilling to provide informed consent