[SMaRRT-HD] Comparative Effectiveness of Two Approaches to Symptom Monitoring in Hemodialysis

logo for SMARRT-HD

Funding: PCORI
Co-Principal Investigator(s):  Flythe, JE; Dember, LM

The SMaRRT-HD Study, also known as “Comparative Effectiveness of Two Approaches to Symptom Monitoring in Hemodialysis” compares two approaches for monitoring and addressing symptoms among adult patients with kidney failure who are treated with hemodialysis.

For the first approach patients use an electronic system (called SMaRRT-HD) twice a month to report their symptoms. The system sends alerts to their medical team at the dialysis clinic about the reported symptoms and gives suggestions about how to manage them. The system also provides reports that show patients and their medical team the reported symptoms over time. For the second approach patients complete a quality of life questionnaire that includes questions about symptoms once a year. The questionnaire does not have follow-up support like alerts, symptom management guidance, or reports. In addition, researchers will talk to patients, dialysis clinic personnel, and medical providers about their experiences using the electronic symptom monitoring system to learn about how to best use patient-reported outcome measures in dialysis care.

The Clinical Research Collaboration Unit (CRCU) supports the SMaRRT-HD Study by providing project management, data management and research technology services.