Conservative kidney management (CKM) is a patient-centered treatment approach for people with chronic kidney disease (CKD) or end-stage kidney disease (ESKD) who choose to forgo dialysis. This pathway prioritizes quality of life, symptom management, and shared decision-making, often aligning with the goals and values of patients who may face significant burdens with dialysis (e.g., time on dialysis, infection risk, prolonged recovery time, frequent hospitalizations, worsening functional status) or have a limited life expectancy (i.e. those patients with serious illness or older age). Effective communication is at the heart of CKM, ensuring that patients and families understand the benefits, limitations, and realistic expectations of this approach. This blog explores the CKM treatment plan, including how to identify good candidates, strategies for discussing it with patients, the role of shared decision-making, and prognostic factors in guiding these critical conversations.
Link: Center to Advance Palliative Care (02/2025)
