‘The rate of true patient-centred innovation has slowed in dialysis’, warns latest EKHA publication

A new EKHA article published in Nature Reviews Nephrology explores the current and future landscape of dialysis and highlights that the rate of true patient-centred innovation has slowed in the field.

According to the article, current trends are particularly concerning from a global perspective, as costs are not sustainable even for high-income countries and most people who develop kidney failure forego treatment, resulting in millions of deaths every year. Thus, there is an urgent need to develop new approaches and dialysis modalities that are cost- effective, accessible and offer improved patient outcomes.

Nephrology researchers are increasingly engaging with patients to determine their priorities for meaningful outcomes that should be used to measure progress. The overarching message from this engagement is that while patients value longevity, reducing symptom burden and achieving maximal functional and social rehabilitation are prioritized more highly. In response, patients, payors, regulators and health- care systems are increasingly demanding improved value, which can only come about through true patient-centred innovation that supports high- quality, high-value care. Substantial efforts are now underway to support requisite transformative changes. These efforts need to be catalysed, promoted and fostered through international collaboration and harmonisation.