Mixed Methods for Analyzing Factors Important to Patients in Choosing a Dialysis Modality

• Activity Number: 113 - Clinical Outcome Assessments: Measurement, Evaluation, and Interpretation
• Type: Topic Contributed
• Date/Time: Monday, July 31, 2017 : 8:30 AM to 10:20 AM
• Sponsor: Biopharmaceutical Section
• Author(s): Jarcy Zee* and Lalita Subramanian and Junhui Zhao and Francesca Tentori
• Companies: Arbor Research Collaborative for Health and Arbor Research Collaborative for Health and Arbor Research Collaborative for Health and Arbor Research Collaborative for Health; Vanderbilt University
• Keywords: Patient-Centered Outcomes Research ; Mixed Methods ; Qualitative Analysis ; Content Analysis ; Survey Design ; Decision Aid

Abstract

The PCORI-funded Empowering Patients on Choices for Renal-Replacement Therapy (EPOCH-RRT) study used mixed (qualitative and quantitative) methods to understand patients' perspectives in choosing a dialysis modality. Semi-structured interviews were first conducted to collect qualitative data on factors important to patients. Interview transcripts were analyzed using content analysis and then used to design a survey about the dialysis modality decision process. The survey was disseminated to a large number of hemodialysis and peritoneal dialysis patients, and quantitative survey results were compared across dialysis modalities using multivariable regression models. Finally, research findings informed an online decision aid to assist patients with their dialysis modality decision, the effectiveness of which was tested with a randomized controlled trial. All aspects of the study were designed collaboratively between study investigators and an advisory panel composed of patients and their caregivers. Using a combination of analysis methods and study designs, EPOCH-RRT developed an effective tool to help patients choose the dialysis modality best fitting their own unique circumstances.