| [ Summary ] |
Efforts have been taken toward improving treatment of chronic kidney disease (CKD) since 2004. It has become clear that CKD is often a prelude to end-stage renal failure and that CKD patients have a high incidence of cardiovascular disease at the same time. In recent years, CKD related educational activities for the public have been implemented. However, the level of awareness in the general population remains low. Currently a great deal of time often passes before CKD patients with no subjective symptoms consult their regular doctors or a specialist. To achieve the goal of reducing the ever-increasing number of dialysis patients, interventions for CKD patients are required in the early stages to slow disease progression. In these circumstances, nurses have an important role to play in the smooth implementation of multidisciplinary care involving doctors and other medical professionals. |