Is There a Need for Healthcare Scientists and Educational Support Surrounding Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) Laboratory Investigations and Tests? Summarizing Polls via a Patient Support Group Platform

Objective: Patient access to information support to supplement their understanding of laboratory and test parameters remains challenging because of medical and scientific terminology. These challenges have led to the exploration of new and efficient ways of approaching educational and information support for patients with long-term conditions (LTCs) such as chronic kidney disease (CKD). This study aims to explore the perspectives on educational support surrounding CKD laboratory investigations from a sample of the Renal Patient Support Group (RPSG). Materials and Methods: The research team conducted five polls from January 2018 to July 2018 via the RPSGs “closed” social media platform to help understand the importance of healthcare scientist’s educational support for laboratory tests and investigations. The target of this study was to seek 1,000 responses from 8,000 members of this social media platform. Results: A total of 574 RPSG members participated in polls, representing a 7% response rate. Seventy-seven percent (mean: 23; SD: 5.48) of the respondents agreed that access to a healthcare scientist in primary care would be advantageous. When asked about what technology solutions are available via general practitioner (GP)/transplant unit, a portal allowing access to medical records and laboratory results scored highest with 26% (mean: 25.3; SD: 5.02) respondents selecting this choice. Assessing a remote healthcare scientist via a computer or application was selected by 33% (mean: 17.8; SD: 4.21) of the respondents. CKD patients get confused regarding laboratory investigations accessed by a mix of healthcare professionals. Healthcare scientists should educate patients about laboratory investigations. Conclusions: The polls conducted added value to an important topic of healthcare scientist involvement in educating CKD patients about laboratory investigations. Currently, there is more scope for healthcare scientists to provide support to CKD patients with smarter education regarding laboratory investigations and parameters. Cite this article as: Muhammad S, Gardner J, Gardner V. Is There a Need for Healthcare Scientists and Educational Support Surrounding Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) Laboratory Investigations and Tests? Summarizing Polls via a Patient Support Group Platform. Turk J Nephrol 2020; 29(2): 141-52.