CKD app ideas/survey

[RDN_Student]

Hi everyone! I'm a master's student in nutrition and dietetics interested in working with CKD patients. I'm working on a project idea for an app to help manage CKD and would love some feedback! The survey is pasted below and is short and anonymous. Thanks in advance!

surveymonkey.com/r/CRLGTPC

[suzell56]

Done and good luck!!!!

[RDN_Student in reply to suzell56]

Thank you so much for your input!

[Skeptix]

Hi. I did your survey and thought it better to raise discussion here. It'd be great if there were an app more directly dealing with CKD. My comments are from a stage 3 and earlier perspective

1. Logging food is a critical element given the role of low and very low protein diet in CKD treatment. Cronmeter is very good but the main problem is its inability to log all nutrients from processed food (only standard nutrients panel on the packaging is logged: salt, fat, protein,etc). Hard to know how to improve on that but it's a big issue

2. Blood/ Urine results logging and explainers. We steer by bloods/urine and could do with someway to track our results graphically and to have explainer for each test element.

3. Any amount of information to enable self steerage. Like, a blood goes out of spec - well how do we steer it back into spec. In other words .. the knowledge of the dietician made active and accessible. And even reactive - responding to blood urine inputs with suggestions.

4. How much paid for the app depends on what it offers. I don't think the world needs more diet plans but if there was something that ran with the very latest science then there'd be a market for it. Its a big disease, its common as hell, the docs are well behind the curve. What's not to like from a business perspective!

[RDN_Student in reply to Skeptix]

Thank you for your valuable insight and input. It is truly appreciated and it seems like there is a real need.

[Skeptix in reply to RDN_Student]

There is need. But just what that is and how it might be filled is the question.

Most here are here because the standard treatment regime takes a largely 'do nothing until end stage' approach. In which case an app won't find purchase amongst the stage 1-4 cohort since most of that cohort will believe their doctors and .. do nothing.

There is no point in an app, no matter how good, that doesn't sell simply because nobody realises they need it.

I had a pal design a golfing device, a brilliant, practical little tool to dress flaws in the line your ball would take on the green towards the hole. But golfers are Conservative, unless Tiger Woods used it, they weren't going to.

Market first, then product. Now, you have the KDOQI 2020 on the side of a diet management app (if that was your intent) But whether that represents Tiger Woods?? The KDOQI themselves acknowledge that it will be years before the latest guidelines find expression in clinical practice.

Dunno if you could partner up with someone established like Cronometer? Use their market penetration and established database and your savvy

[RoxanneKidney]

Thanks, I took your survey. Thanks for caring and your interest in this issue.

[RDN_Student in reply to RoxanneKidney]

Thank you for your time in taking the survey!

[WYOAnne NKF Ambassador]

I think in your survey you should also be asking questions regarding the cause of their CKD, whether they are diabetic (many patients are) and whether you have high blood pressure. All of these would effect the diet of someone with CKD. Everyone with CKD is different and their treatment plan and diet are also different.There are many on this site that have been able to stabilize their kidney function with diet. So the idea of being able to manage their CKD with an app I am sure would be a great help to many,

Just realize the difference from one person to the next. There is no one plan that works for all. The type of diet would also depend on what Stage of CKD you are at and blood levels for potassium, sodium, etc.

[RDN_Student in reply to WYOAnne]

These are great points and all things which need to be considered! As a soon-to-be dietitian, I absolutely agree with you about the importance of diet and have an inkling of the impact something like this could make.

[Sophiebun11 in reply to WYOAnne]

I couldn't agree more as my CKD is from autoimmune disease so all the usual CKD dietary advice doesn't apply since my sodium is low as is my BP and protein level. Excellent advice Anne.

[Sophiebun11]

Hi, Thanks for planning to become a Renal Dietician. There is a huge need for more RDs. I saw one when first diagnosed with Stage 4 CKD earlier this year.

I think the app could be helpful if it is varied enough based on the cause of one's CKD as others have said. Myself, I have an autoimmune disease trying to destroy my kidneys.

i.e. specific info for those with T2 diabetes, hypertension, or autoimmune causes of their CKD.

Tracking lab results, medications, diet, exercise, sleep, etc. would certainly benefit those with CKD.

Good luck with your studies and your app. Keep us in mind if you need people to test it out : )

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