Thinking outside the box—identifying patients for home dialysis

Home dialysis modalities are underutilized in the USA with only 8% of the dialysis patients undergoing renal replacement therapy at home versus 92% being treated with center hemodialysis. This is in contrast to the nephrology professionals’ opinion about the best dialysis therapy and their potential choice in the hypothetical situation of choosing a dialysis modality for themselves. Pre-dialysis education changes the distribution of dialysis modality significantly, as 50% of informed patients choose home dialysis. Close collaboration among nephrology professionals, patients and providers is required to make home therapy a reality for any interested patient.