Evidence for Change

In our Evidence for Change series, we provide a brief overview of key behavioural science research that Atlantis Health applies in supporting patients living with long-term conditions to achieve optimal health outcomes and Change for Good.

 

Research selected

"CareKnowDo—A Multichannel Digital and Telephone Support Program for People With Chronic Kidney Disease: Feasibility Randomized Controlled Trial" Reston, R. E., Caskey, F. J., Hole, B., Udayaraj, U., & Weinman, J. (2023). JMIR Formative Research, 7, e33147.

Relevance today

Challenge: Managing chronic kidney disease (CKD) involves several significant challenges that impact the patient's ability to adhere to treatment and lifestyle changes that help to effectively self-manage their condition.

Key challenges include the asymptomatic nature of early stages of CKD, complex self-management tasks, a lack of understanding of the nature of the disease, emotional burden, and difficulty engaging patients in interventions. 

In particular, CKD requires strict management of hypertension through the use of antihypertensives. Adherence to antihypertensive medication is crucial for appropriate management of blood pressure to minimise further damage to the kidneys. 

The CareKnowDo programme is a multichannel support initiative for CKD patients, offering tailored web, SMS, email, and nurse phone support. It integrates with Patient View (PV; an electronic health record system) to enhance self-management and adherence to lifestyle changes and specifically, antihypertensive medication.

Through a randomised controlled trial, it was demonstrated that a tailored multichannel support programme for people living with CKD is feasible and acceptable, improving patient engagement and self-management.

 

What the research tells us

A two-arm, parallel, randomised controlled trial (RCT) was conducted at two NHS sites in the UK. 61 patients with CKD were divided into two groups:

  • One receiving the CareKnowDo programme integrated with Patient View

  • The other receiving standard care with Patient View alone

The CareKnowDo programme provided 3 distinct modules based on behavioural science and health psychology insights into the key areas that can impact hypertension

 

Mind Matters

Designed to address low mood

Lifestyle Matters

Addressing diet, exercise, and how these affect CKD

Medication Matters

Covering adherence to antihypertensive medication

 

In sum, the CareKnowDo programme was found to be feasible and acceptable to those living with CKD. A virtual programme delivered remotely through digital channels can be one way to support those living with CKD in self-managing this complex condition. 

“It told me a bit more information that the doctor hadn’t mentioned about what I’ve got. It was fairly clear, and clear cut. All the information was pretty clearly displayed on there. And it was relatively easy to get to everything” - Patient

Applying the research

We specialize in personalised, multichannel, nurse-led support across various long-term health conditions. Our programs utilise behavioural science-based interventional approaches for optimal improvement in health outcomes and patient engagement. 

Working with patients, pharma, healthcare, and life sciences organisations, we co-design and deliver personalised behaviour change solutions across multiple channels.

Read more about the results and outcomes our solutions can bring.