Chronic kidney disease (CKD) affects 10% of Australians (1.7 million adults). People with lower health literacy and from culturally and linguistically-diverse (CALD) backgrounds are more likely to have CKD and to die from the condition. However, there are no interventions to help these patients to develop skills needed to make good health decisions, and patients often receive information in formats and at times which make it difficult for them to understand.
To address this, we have developed the SUCCESS App. The App provides simplified patient information (e.g. about diet, fluids, physical activity) and skills training for CKD patients to support them to make health decisions and communicate with their healthcare providers. Our research team has shown that we can implement the SUCCESS App in dialysis units across New South Wales. We are now conducting a study to evaluate its impact on health outcomes.
Participants with CKD will be invited to use the SUCCESS App for 6 months and we will collect information at 0, 3, 6 and 12-months to see whether the App can improve their skills, quality of life, behaviour, use of health services and health (e.g. blood pressure; weight gain).
To compliment the SUCCESS App, we will also develop training for health professionals to facilitate communication with their patients (including those with lower health literacy and from CALD backgrounds), and evaluate the acceptability of this training among CKD staff.
The potential benefits of the SUCCESS App are far reaching and include improved health skills and decision-making, quality of life and behaviours which are known to translate to improved clinical outcomes and better use of health services. The App will be available to all patients undertaking dialysis after its effectiveness has been established.