Collaborative Care Intervention for Chronic Kidney Disease

Symptom management is critical to maintain quality of life in those with life limiting
conditions. Stepped collaborative care interventions have been widely employed in the primary
care setting for the treatment of depression and more recently have been utilized to treat
other symptoms (e.g., pain) in a variety of settings. A recent meta-analyses concluded that
collaborative care interventions were superior to usual care and are more cost-effective than
face to face and pharmacological treatment for depression. Collaborative care interventions
have begun to be extended to other settings but have not been tested in patients who are
being treated with dialysis. The aims of the present study were to pilot test the efficacy of
a collaborative care intervention in patients awaiting kidney transplant to reduce symptoms
of depression, pain, fatigue and improve quality of life.

Inclusion Criteria:

Age 18 or older Currently receiving dialysis at UPMC dialysis facility for chronic kidney
disease Fluent in English

Exclusion Criteria:

Under the age of 18 years or over 90 years Not fluent in English