Q&A: Addressing Palliative Care in Dialysis Settings
A Q&A published in Physicians Weekly explores the underuse of palliative care for dialysis patients in the U.S., despite high symptom burdens and complex needs of people living with advanced chronic kidney disease, in response to findings of a study. The interviewee, Jane O. Schell, MD, discusses systemic barriers, cultural and socioeconomic disparities, and the need for better clinician training and scalable care models. The conversation highlights the importance of involving patients and families in care planning and calls for policy changes to support earlier palliative integration.