Primary health care decision making in pre-dialysis chronic kidney disease

Objectives This qualitative descriptive study explored the primary health care decisions of a group of 12 Australians in Stages 3B to 5 with chronic kidney disease in the preservation of kidney health. Methods Questioning within the qualitative interviews focused on gaining an understanding of the participants’ perceptions of their kidney health and the decisions made as a consequence of their interaction within the Australian primary health care system. Results Participants were dependent on their General Practitioner to recognise their symptoms, make the correct diagnosis and authorise the correct referral for specialist nephrology care. Three pathways in this process were identified: ‘easy’; ‘difficult’ and ‘protracted’. Clinician failure to correctly attribute symptoms to chronic kidney disease influenced the ‘difficult’ pathway, while failure to adequately communicate kidney health status influenced the ‘protracted’ pathway. Use of the language of ‘recovery’, ‘stability’ and ‘protection’ held meaning to the participants in gaining an understanding of their kidney health. Discussion Identifying pathways to diagnosis and referral can raise awareness of the challenges kidney health consumers face in their participation within the primary health care arena. Using consumer meaningful language improves the capacity of these consumers to engage in their own primary health care agenda.