Ruben Cijsouw*, Windesheim University of Applied Sciences, Zwolle, Netherlands Jacqueline Slegten*, Isala Clinics, Zwolle, Netherlands Jan Nauta*, Windesheim University of Applied Sciences, Zwolle, Netherlands Ria Knotters, Isala Clinics, Zwolle, Netherlands Marike Hettinga*, Windesheim University of Applied Sciences, Zwolle, Netherlands Track: Research Presentation Topic: e-Coaching Presentation Type: Poster presentation Submission Type: Single Presentation Building: MECC Room: Trajectum Last modified: 2010-07-12

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[Background]
Chronic kidney disease (CKD) and its progression to end-stage kidney disease (ESKD), has become a public health epidemic. ESKD requires lifelong dialysis or kidney transplant, which is a financial burden on healthcare systems Lifestyle self-management is an important manner to influence the decline of the renal function in order to delay ESKD. Hence, it contributes to the delay of ESKD. Self-management is a success factor in the improvement of chronic patients’ lifestyle. At the dialysis centre of the Isala clinics, nurse practitioners coach CKD patients on their lifestyle self-management. Additionally, webbased applications that aim to support and coach patients suffering chronic diseases – such as diabetes, cardiovascular, and CKD patients – on their lifestyle self-management have been developed.

[Objective]
The objective is to study the effects of the addition of these webbased application for CKD patients on their lifestyle self-management. The application supports and coaches CKD patients in their effort to improve their lifestyle, in addition to the nurse practitioners’ support at the dialysis centre. Part of the objective is to simplify patients’ lifestyle self-management.

[Methods]
The first stage of the study consists of the specification of the functional and technical criteria for the webbased application, based on a state-of-the-art analysis on webbased lifestyle self-management. These findings are empirically tested in a small qualitative user study. The user study analyses the patients’ practical experiences with the webbased application and focuses on the ability to use the implemented functionality and the identification of technical thresholds. The results of this qualitative user study is valuable for the definitive design of the application which will be used in the pilot study.
The pilot study will analyze the effects of the addition of the webbased lifestyle self-management application on the patients’ lifestyle. Furthermore, the pilot study will analyze the effects on the use of the application by the nurse practitioners and nephrologists in coaching patients lifestyle mangement. The pilot study will start in February 2011. The project aims at a 25-50 patient pilot study in which the patients will use the webbased application for at least four months.

[Results]
We will present the results of the state-of-the-art study on webbased lifestyle self-management, and the preliminary findings from the qualitative user study, which will start in September 2010. Here, particular emphasis will be given on the lifestyle self-management of CKD patients who aim to postpone dialysis. The analysis of the pilot study, starting February 2011, will provide specific data on the use of webbased applications to support lifestyle self-management. Furthermore, the implications for the coaching of CKD patients by nurse practitioners and nephrologists will be taken into account. These results will be used to make adjustments to the webbased lifestyle self-management application, and its use, in order to optimize the chances for a successful transition from a pilot study into clinical practice.