The Center to Advance Palliative Care (CAPC) and the National Kidney Foundation (NKF) have released a joint publication, "The Case for Palliative Care in Kidney Care," calling for the integration of palliative care services into the treatment of patients with advanced kidney disease.
The publication highlights that individuals with kidney disease are less likely to receive adequate pain and symptom management compared to patients with other serious illnesses, despite experiencing high rates of pain, depression, and shortness of breath.
The two organizations urge nephrology practices, dialysis centers, and health systems to strengthen their palliative care capabilities through clinician training, collaboration with specialty teams, and systemic changes to prioritize patient-centered outcomes. Integrating palliative care into kidney care can both improve patient quality and enhance healthcare organizations' financial performance.