Project Lead
Lisa Wang
Lead partner
Western Health
Kidney supportive care (KSC) integrates palliative and renal medicine to optimise nephrology care for advanced chronic kidney disease (CKD) patients, aiming to improve health-related quality of life. Previous research shows KSC reduces symptom burden, hospitalisations, improves quality of life and patient satisfaction. However, there is variability in KSC’s clinical scope in Victoria, and the impact of a re-modelled service on patient outcomes is unknown.
This mixed-methods longitudinal cohort study prospectively monitors symptom burden, quality of life and satisfaction. Qualitative interviews explore CKD patients’ and caregivers’ experiences with KSC, identifying barriers, enablers and opportunities. This project will help us understand how KSC improves advanced CKD patients’ lives, inform KSC delivery models, and reveal service access barriers and enablers.
MacHSR presents a valuable opportunity to learn health service research, evidence translation and implementation science, strengthening skills in engaging multidisciplinary teams and facilitating sustainable change. It will equip me to lead projects improving service delivery and patient outcomes, enhancing professional growth and contributing meaningfully to implementing evidence-based improvements and advancing quality care.