Effectiveness of Multidisciplinary Post-Acute Kidney Injury Clinic on Awareness and Knowledge in Acute Kidney Injury Survivors

Abstract

<b><i>Introduction:</i></b> Acute kidney injury (AKI) awareness and knowledge among survivors is poor, leading to suboptimal self-management and follow-up care. The purpose of the study was to evaluate the impact of a multidisciplinary post-AKI clinic on AKI awareness and knowledge among survivors. <b><i>Methods:</i></b> We conducted a quasi-experimental study among stage 2-3 AKI survivors who were followed in the multidisciplinary post-AKI clinic, comprising nephrologists, renal nurses, pharmacists, and dietitians. Patients were evaluated before and after entering the clinic during a 3-month follow-up period, using a three-component questionnaire including the following: (1) Do you know of your AKI diagnosis during hospitalization? (yes/no), (2) how do you rate your AKI knowledge? (ranging from 1 or “very low” to 5 or “excellent”), and (3) 25-item objective AKI knowledge survey instrument that covered general knowledge of AKI, nutrition, medication, and symptoms of renal failure. <b><i>Results:</i></b> A total of 108 AKI survivors were enrolled, with 37.0%, 41.7%, and 21.3% being stage 2 AKI, stage 3 AKI, and stage 3-dialysis AKI, respectively. Before entering the clinic, 50% of patients were unaware of their AKI during hospitalization. After receiving education from the multidisciplinary post-AKI clinic, all patients became aware they had experienced AKI. The mean perceived knowledge and objective knowledge scores were significantly increased over the 3-month period from 1.6 (0.7) to 3.9 (0.7) out of 5 and 15.4 (3.5) to 21.4 (2.0) out of 25, respectively (<i>p</i> &lt; 0.001 for both). Additionally, reverse transformation of the Likert scale to a percentage format also revealed a significant improvement in mean perceived AKI knowledge scores, transitioning from 13.8 ± 16.8 to 73.0 ± 17.6, <i>p</i> &lt; 0.001. <b><i>Conclusion:</i></b> The multidisciplinary post-AKI clinic effectively enhanced AKI awareness and knowledge among survivors. These findings highlight the importance of follow-up care and the benefits of a multidisciplinary approach. Further studies are needed to determine the long-term outcomes associated with increased knowledge.