Improving Caregiver Burden by a Peer-Led Mentoring Program for Caregivers of Patients With Chronic Kidney Disease: Randomized Controlled Trial

Abstract

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is associated with substantial morbidity, mortality, cost, and increased caregiver burden. Peer mentoring (PM) improves multiple outcomes in various chronic diseases. The effect of PM on caregiver burden among caregivers of patients with CKD has not been studied. We conducted a randomized clinical trial to test the effectiveness of a structured PM program on burden of care among caregivers of patients with CKD. We randomized 86 caregivers to receive 6 months of intervention in 1 of 3 groups: (1) face-to-face PM ( n = 29); (2) online PM ( n = 29); and (3) usual care: textbook-only ( n = 28). Peer mentors were caregivers of patients with CKD, who received 16 h of instruction. All participants received a copy of a textbook, which contains detailed information about kidney disease. Participants in the PM groups received FTF or online PM for 6 months. The outcome was time-related change in the Zarit Burden Interview (ZBI) score. There was a statistically significant decrease in the ZBI score (SE: −3.44; CI: −6.31, −0.57 [ p = 0.002]) compared with baseline, among the online PM group. Online PM led to decreased caregiver burden among caregivers of patients with CKD. The study was limited to English-speaking subjects with computer literacy.

Effects of Specialist Palliative Care for Patients Undergoing Major Abdominal Surgery for Cancer

“…The results for the primary, secondary, and exploratory outcomes appear in Table 3, 25,[29][30][31][32][33][34][35][36] along with their baseline values (where applicable) and estimates of the minimal clinically important differences (MCID) from the literature. The primary outcome, FACT-G TOI, did not differ significantly between the intervention and control groups (intervention score, 46.77; 95% CI, 44.18-49.04; usual care score, 46.23; 95% CI, 43.08-48.14; P = .46).…”

The Most Important Thing We Can Do Is Listen: Making Peer Mentoring Available for All

“…Nationally, peer mentoring programs continue to grow to support people affected by kidney disease and are effective in improving quality of life (QOL) and reducing caregiver burden (Ghahramani, 2019). Peer mentoring is known to enhance the health and well-being of individuals and families affected by kidney disease.…”

“…Peer mentoring is known to enhance the health and well-being of individuals and families affected by kidney disease. Peer-led mentoring is an effective strategy in patient education for those considering various treatment methods (Ghahramani, 2015). Peer mentors may also encourage patient engagement.…”

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“…Peer mentor programs have a documented, positive impact on the lives of people affected by kidney disease (Ghahramani, 2015). The Kidney Foundation of Central PA (KFCP) developed its peer mentoring program in 2004.…”