Integrating a Medical Home in an Outpatient Dialysis Setting: Effects on Health-Related Quality of Life

Background Integrating primary care has been proposed to reduce fragmented care delivery for patients with complex medical needs. Because of their high rates of morbidity, healthcare use, and mortality, patients with end-stage kidney disease (ESKD) may benefit from increased access to a primary care medical home. Objective To evaluate the effect of integrating a primary care medical home on health-related quality of life (HRQOL) for patients with ESKD receiving chronic hemodialysis. Design Before–after intervention trial with repeated measures at two Chicago dialysis centers. Participants Patients receiving hemodialysis at either of the two centers. Intervention To the standard hemodialysis team (nephrologist, nurse, social worker, dietitian), we added a primary care physician, a pharmacist, a nurse coordinator, and a community health worker. The intervention took place from January 2015 through August 2016. Main Measures Health-related quality of life, using the Kidney Disease Quality of Life (KDQOL) measures. Key Results Of 247 eligible patients, 175 (71%) consented and participated; mean age was 54 years; 55% were men and 97% were African American or Hispanic. In regression analysis adjusted for individual visits with the medical home providers and other factors, there were significant improvements in four of five KDQOL domains: at 12 and 18 months, the Mental Component Score improved from baseline (adjusted mean 49.0) by 2.64 ( p = 0.01) and 2.96 ( p = 0.007) points, respectively. At 6 and 12 months, the Symptoms domain improved from baseline (adjusted mean = 77.0) by 2.61 ( p = 0.02) and 2.35 points ( p = 0.05) respectively. The Kidney Disease Effects domain improved from baseline (adjusted mean = 72.7), to 6, 12, and 18 months by 4.36 ( p = 0.003), 6.95 ( p < 0.0001), and 4.14 ( p = 0.02) points respectively. The Physical Component Score improved at 6 months only. Conclusions Integrating primary care and enhancing care coordination in two dialysis facilities was associated with improvements in HRQOL among patients with ESKD who required chronic hemodialysis.