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Theme 1: Bridging Community and Acute Care
APPROACH
For people with Chronic Kidney Disease, tests and treatments carry unique risks, and it’s hard to know what’s best. APPROACH provides personalized risk and benefit information, helps you weigh your priorities, and guides discussions with your care team.
Lead
Matthew James
Co-lead
Stephen Wilton
Additional Contributors
Todd Wilson, Pantea Javaheri, Julie Babione
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THE CHALLENGE
Patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) face complex challenges when undergoing heart disease tests and treatments, which carry unique risks for this population. Many CKD patients lack the information needed to make informed, personalized choices about these procedures, potentially resulting in hospitalizations, reduced quality of life, and decreased survival. Effective communication of individualized risks and benefits is crucial to support decision-making based on each patient’s values and needs.
THE CHALLENGE
Patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) face complex challenges when undergoing heart disease tests and treatments, which carry unique risks for this population. Many CKD patients lack the information needed to make informed, personalized choices about these procedures, potentially resulting in hospitalizations, reduced quality of life, and decreased survival. Effective communication of individualized risks and benefits is crucial to support decision-making based on each patient’s values and needs.
THE INNOVATION
Innovation Overview Heading
HOW IT WORKS
HOW IT WORKS
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[Innovation Overview] This project focuses on understanding and addressing the technological acceptance barriers among older adults in Central Alberta. By comparing the usage and attitudes of those living independently, with partners, or in care facilities, the initiative identifies gaps and opportunities to design more inclusive, user-friendly digital health solutions.
Surveys and in-depth interviews gather insights into older adults’ experiences with existing eHealth and mHealth platforms, with a focus on their potential for improving healthcare access and supporting healthy aging.
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HOW IT WORKS
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THE INNOVATION
This tool is a shared decision-making (SDM) aid designed specifically for patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) who are facing choices about heart disease tests and treatments. It delivers personalized information on the potential benefits and risks of each option, helping patients and healthcare providers engage in informed, collaborative conversations that prioritize patient values, preferences, and overall health goals, so decisions are both evidence-based and aligned with what matters most to the patient.
HOW IT WORKS
The decision aid helps patients compare two treatment options, showing likely outcomes with simple visuals and explanations. Patients rank what matters most to them, so decisions reflect their values and support meaningful shared decision-making with their healthcare providers.
THE BENEFITS
For Users
Enhanced Understanding: The tool helps CKD patients comprehend complex risk-benefit information tailored to their health profile.
Increased Confidence: Patients gain confidence in their treatment choices, thanks to clear visuals and data that support understanding and alignment with personal values.
Improved Patient-Provider Communication: Facilitates open dialogue, fostering trust and shared goals in the decision-making process.
For The System
Reduced Hospitalizations and Costs: By avoiding unnecessary procedures, the tool supports better health outcomes and reduces healthcare costs.
Enhanced Clinical Practice: Embedding the tool in clinical workflows promotes consistent, patient-centered care and shared decision-making across healthcare settings.
Improved Health Outcomes: By aligning treatments with patient priorities, the tool contributes to improved quality of life and potentially extended survival for CKD patients.
THE BENEFITS
For Users
Enhanced Understanding: The tool helps CKD patients comprehend complex risk-benefit information tailored to their health profile.
Increased Confidence: Patients gain confidence in their treatment choices, thanks to clear visuals and data that support understanding and alignment with personal values.
Improved Patient-Provider Communication: Facilitates open dialogue, fostering trust and shared goals in the decision-making process.
For The System
Reduced Hospitalizations and Costs: By avoiding unnecessary procedures, the tool supports better health outcomes and reduces healthcare costs.
Enhanced Clinical Practice: Embedding the tool in clinical workflows promotes consistent, patient-centered care and shared decision-making across healthcare settings.
Improved Health Outcomes: By aligning treatments with patient priorities, the tool contributes to improved quality of life and potentially extended survival for CKD patients.
Get Involved
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View other projects and explore the Health Everywhere Portfolio to see how local innovations are transforming care across the province.
Explore the Health Everywhere Portfolio to see how local innovations are solving real-world challenges and shaping the future of care across the province.
ABOUT
The Health Everywhere Hub portfolio map showcases academic-led projects tackling real healthcare challenges across Alberta. By highlighting shared goals and commonalities, we hope to spark collaboration and amplify impact across the system.
It’s more than a list of projects - this evolving collection shows what’s possible when partnerships, bold ideas, and real-world testing come together.