Diagnosis, defined as the identification of the nature of an illness or other problem by examination of the symptoms, is the corner stone of medical practice and determines the care and management of patients.

These core medical principles can equally be applied to identification of opportunities within a Renal Service to increase the use of PD.

In this context the principles of diagnosis can be used to define problems and determine aspects of the pathway that require service redesign and investment, akin to a establishing a patients treatment plan.

The diagnostic process begins with gathering data, ascertaining the person’s current concerns, reviewing medical history, performing a physical examination and evaluating findings from laboratory, imaging, and pathology studies.

In essence access to PD is determined by patients being able to choose and start on PD and remain on their chosen therapy for as long as possible.  

During the workshop, drawing on these core principles, you will start the journey of diagnosing opportunities within your service to enable more people to access PD and remain on their chosen therapy.