Intensive Patient Referral and Education Program Prior to Renal Replacement Therapy

The Intensive Patient Referral and Education Program prior to Renal Replacement Therapy (iPREP-RRT) will determine the efficacy of the hospital-based patient intervention (HPI) in improving patient knowledge, self-efficacy, and intent for chronic kidney disease (CKD) self-management and renal replacement therapy (RRT) planning; and 2) determine the efficacy of the community-based patient intervention (CPI) during a 12 week outpatient follow-up program that combines outpatient follow-up with multiple modes of communication (in-person session, phone calls and personalized text messaging) and navigation in increasing participants' initiation and maintenance of CKD self-management and RRT planning, compared to enhanced usual care (attention controls).

The goal is to improve knowledge and outcomes for African American patients with advanced CKD through the iPREP-RRT. To accomplish this goal, investigators will 1) determine the efficacy of the hospital-based patient intervention (HPI) in improving participant knowledge, self-efficacy, and intent for CKD self-management and RRT planning; and 2) determine the efficacy of the community-based patient intervention (CPI) during a 12 week outpatient program that combines outpatient follow-up with multiple modes of communication (in-person session, phone calls and personalized text messaging) and navigation in increasing initiation and maintenance of CKD self-management and RRT planning, compared to enhanced usual care. To that end, investigators will conduct a one-site randomized controlled trial, where participants will be randomized in a 1:1 ratio into either the intervention (iPREP-RRT) or control groups (enhanced usual care). The randomization will be stratified by baseline blood pressure (controlled or uncontrolled). Participants will receive 2 in-person education sessions (during hospitalization and week 12), phone sessions at weeks 4 and 8, and weekly personalized text message contact. The duration of the intervention will be 12 weeks, and participants and controls will be assessed pre-intervention, immediately post-hospital based intervention, at 4 ,8 and 12 weeks during community-based intervention and 4 weeks post-intervention (16 weeks).

Inclusion criteria

• Patients over the age of 18 and under 70
• Admitted to the University of Chicago inpatient general medicine service
• Likely hospital stay greater than 48 hours
• Diagnosis of advanced CKD (Stage 3B or above, as determine by problem list, ICD- 10 codes or eGFR<45 during admission and from previous medical encounters)
• Self-identify as Black or African American

Exclusion criteria

• Non-English speaking
• Unable to communicate due to current medical status
• Unable to consent due to mental status
• Expected hospital stay less than 24 hour
• Current admission in ICU