DEVELOPMENT AND IMPLEMENTATION OF THE METRO NORTH HEALTH, BRISBANE ADOLESCENT AND YOUNG ADULT KIDNEY CLINIC
NICHAREE (PINK) SANGDURN1, ALEXANDRA CATION1, LORRAINE GARRY1, Associate Professor HELEN HEALY1,2, DR. BRIAN DOUCET1,2
1Kidney Health Service, Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital, Brisbane , Australia, 2School of Clinical Medicine, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia
Aim: To develop and implement an adolescent and young adult (AYA) kidney clinic in Metro North Health, Brisbane.
Background: AYA specific kidney health services promote improved consumer engagement, satisfaction with the healthcare experience, treatment adherence and kidney transplant recipient outcomes. We initiated the AYA kidney clinic to align our clinical service with best practices.
Method: The quality improvement project was governed by a steering committee of consumers and internal and external stakeholders. Three workgroups were established and tasked with kidney AYA model of care (MOC) development; facilitating clinic implementation; and planning project evaluation. Workgroups reported to the Steering Committee and were the responsibility of the project manager. Membership included consumers, adult and paediatric medical and nursing staff, allied health, youth workers, First Nations leadership, and external organisations including the Queensland Child and Youth Clinical Network, Transplant Australia and the Sony Foundation. The MOC workgroup defined the vision, principles, patient cohort, patient pathways and resourcing for the AYA kidney clinic. The implementation workgroup identified and booked AYA participants established the clinical site and organised staffing and resourcing. The evaluation workgroup defined short, medium and long-term evaluation plans.
Results: The MOC document was endorsed by the steering committee and hospital executive and used as a foundational resource during the clinical implementation and evaluation planning. From September 2022, an AYA kidney clinic has provided bi-monthly sessions. Initial short-term evaluation results suggest the AYA kidney clinic delivers comprehensive age-appropriate kidney care via a multidisciplinary team.
Conclusion: The Metro North Health AYA Kidney Clinic model was co-developed and implemented in partnership with consumers, clinicians and stakeholders within and external to the health service.
Biography:
Dr Nicharee “PINK” Sangdurn, a BPT1 at Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital, Metro North Health, Queensland, obtained her medical degree from Mahidol University in Thailand. Her journey commenced with an internship in Thailand, followed by providing care with the United Nations in Southeast Asia , where she encountered diverse cases and populations. Intrigued by Internal Medicine, she pursued further studies in Australia, completing her resident year in Mackay and Sunshine Coast areas. Dr. Sangdurn’s clinical focus encompasses general medicine, with a special interest in Renal medicine, Renal transplant, and Quality improvement, reflecting her commitment to comprehensive patient care.