Chronic Kidney Disease is a Quality Priority
from Quality Matters: A Podcast by NCQA Hosted by Andy Reynolds
Why does a potentially deadly condition that affects 1 in 7 adults fly under the radar, undetected and undiscussed? Join us on this episode of Quality Matters as we explore Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD), a silent killer that’s finally coming into the limelight of quality improvement. Our conversation begins with Dr. Ben Oldfield, a primary care physician, who sheds light on the startling prevalence and hidden complexities of CKD. Why is it so hard to detect, even with simple blood and urine tests? And why does this condition, despite its extensive impact, often get lost in the shuffle of busy health care visits? We’ll unpack the challenges of diagnosing and managing CKD, exploring the emotional weight the diagnosis carries for patients and the hurdles clinicians face in communicating about it. Discover why CKD is a “loaded term” and how we can shift the narrative from fear to empowerment. But that’s not all. We’ll also tackle the big picture: How CKD fits into the broader landscape of cardiovascular, kidney, and metabolic (CKM) disorders. Could a holistic approach to these interconnected conditions revolutionize patient care? The conversation ends with Ben’s thoughtful observations on how classic literature, particularly epic poetry, helps doctors make sense of health care’s emotional complexities, connect with patients and find empowerment in the face of life and death. Join us as we explore how we can move CKD from the sidelines to the front lines of quality improvement, and how collaborative, longitudinal care can make a real difference. Key Quote: “Thinking about chronic kidney disease is a longitudinal process. It's only half the story to make the diagnosis in a snapshot in time. What's the follow up like? How are we doing with the patient over time? Because oftentimes quality measures can look at things in a snapshot in time. Chronic kidney disease really begs us to think more longitudinally.”“ Benjamin Oldfield, MD Time Stamps: (02:54) The Silent Nature of CKD (07:05) Quality Measurement and CKD (11:08) The Link Between CKD and Cardiovascular Kidney Metabolic syndrome (13:06) CKD and CKM as Quality Priorities (15:45) Narrative Medicine and Personal Insights Links: NCQA Kidney Health Toolkit Connect with Benjamin Oldfield
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What this episode covers
Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) affects millions, yet remains largely hidden. On this episode of Quality Matters, Dr. Ben Oldfield, Chief Medical Officer at Unity Health Care, joins host Andy Reynolds to unpack why this "silent killer" is so hard to detect, discuss and emphasize. Ben reveals the challenges of diagnosing CKD in community health centers and CKD’s emotional impact on patients. We also examine the shift towards a holistic "CKM" approach, linking CKD to cardiovascular and metabolic health. NCQA’s Dr. Caroline Blaum explains how quality measurement is elevating kidney health alongside better-known risk factors like diabetes and hypertension. The conversation ends with Ben’s thoughtful observations on how classic literature, particularly epic poetry, helps doctors make sense of health care’s emotional complexities, connect with patients, and find empowerment in the face of life and death.
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