Madison, WI – February 10, 2014. Today, at the Annual Dialysis Conference in Atlanta, the non-profit Medical Education Institute (MEI) announces My Life, My Dialysis Choice (http://mydialysischoice.org)—a free, web-based decision aid to help people with chronic kidney disease (CKD) see which type(s) of dialysis will be the best fit for their lifestyles and health values.
"Dialysis is so much more than just a medical treatment—it affects every aspect of lifestyle, from diet to travel, work, sexuality, even sleep," said MEI Executive Director, Dori Schatell. "But, most people who need dialysis don't know what it will mean for their day-to-day lives. Our new tool will let them choose the values that matter to them, then 'try on' each of four main types of dialysis and rate which ones seem like the best fit. At the end, a graph will show them what they chose."
The new tool is in beta testing mode, and community input from consumers and professionals is welcome. Feedback can be submitted on each page, and comments will be compiled and analyzed before a final version is released and tested. A transplant section of the tool and a conservative management without dialysis section are intended for the future.
My Life, My Dialysis Choice is the newest part of a 3-pronged MEI effort to improve dialysis options education in the United States, along with:
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About MEI: Founded in 1993, Medical Education Institute (MEI) is a national 501(c)(3) non-profit organization dedicated to helping people with chronic diseases learn to manage and improve their health. MEI fulfills its mission by conducting scientific behavioral research, providing evidence-based educational programming for consumers and health professionals, and advocating for widespread patient-driven practices within our healthcare system.
MEI is funded through grants, corporate sponsorships, fee-for-service contracts, product sales, and donations from the general public. Charitable contributions can be made directly through MEI's website, www.meiresearch.org, and are tax deductible as allowed by law.
