QUESTIONNAIRE TO EVALUATE AND ELUCIDATE PATIENTS' PERCEPTIONS OF RENAL DIETARY ADVICE

This study aims to explore the knowledge and beliefs of Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) patients about the role of diet in their disease presentation and management. Focus Groups (FG) with nephrology and dialysis patients informed the development of a questionnaire. A sixty percent response rate was achieved (115/190) with 100 complete questionnaires available for analysis. 80 respondents said they would like to receive dietary advice as soon as they know they have renal damage. In most cases this would have been months or years sooner than they were referred to a dietitian. Group work and 'expert patient' assistance offer the means of delivering this service in a patient-centred way. It is also essential that doctors have access to accurate dietary advice so they can support patients appropriately to change their dietary behaviour.