Life as a Nephrology Professional

NKF and National MOTTEP Webinar: Increasing Trustworthiness and Community Engagement to Advance Transplant Equity

Experience a dynamic panel discussion on advancing kidney health equity and increasing access to transplants in our recorded webinar, presented by the NKF and National MOTTEP. 

In 2021, there were 786,000 patients living with kidney failure, yet fewer than 25,000 received a transplant that year. Black people are more than 4 times as likely as White people to have kidney failure. To help address these disparities, the NKF and National MOTTEP (Minority Organ Tissue Transplant Education Program) are teaming up to educate on the importance of building trustworthiness and community partnerships to advance kidney health equity and increase access to transplants for all.

Panelists: Clive O. Callender, MD; Kirk Campbell, MD, FASN; Karim Ali, SA; Tanjala S. Purnell, PhD, MPH, FASN; Morgan Reid, MSJ; Velma Scantlebury, MD, FACS, GCM

Hyperphosphatemia Treatment Innovations: Phosphate Absorption Inhibitor (PAI)

In part two of this 2-episode mini-series, our panelists discuss the recent approval of tenapanor for hyperphosphatemia management in patients on dialysis by the United States Food & Drug Administration (FDA). Tune into this discussion where our expert panelists share how the phosphate absorption inhibitor (PAI) works, factors to consider when integrating this agent into a patient’s treatment regimen, and how it may impact hyperphosphatemia management moving forward.

Learning objectives:

1. Describe the primary pathways for phosphate absorption.
2. Explain the potential role(s) for a phosphate absorption inhibitor (PAI) for people with CKD who are on dialysis.

Host: Sam Kant, MD
Guests: Alexander Leidner, MD; Annabel Biruete, RD, PhD; Alex Berrios

Supported by a grant from Ardelyx.

Don't miss Part 1 in this series! Listen to: Patient & Clinician Experiences with Hyperphosphatemia: The Current Landscape

Patient & Clinician Experiences with Hyperphosphatemia: The Current Landscape

In part one of this 2-episode mini-series, our panelists discuss the current landscape of hyperphosphatemia management for patients on dialysis – including what’s working well and where there is room for improvement. Tune into this discussion where our experts share their experiences with leveraging team-based and person-centered approaches to managing hyperphosphatemia from the perspectives of nephrologist, dietitian, and patient.

Learning objectives:

1. Identify the consequences of elevated serum phosphate levels.
2. Recognize the stigma patients experience as a result of not achieving their serum phosphate target level.

Host: Sam Kant, MD
Guests: Alexander Leidner, MD; Annabel Biruete, RD, PhD; Alex Berrios

Supported by a grant from Ardelyx.

Don't miss Part 2 in this series! Listen to: Hyperphosphatemia Treatment Innovations: Phosphate Absorption Inhibitor (PAI)

Rethinking the Kidney Diet

In this episode, experts in the field—Dr. Shivam Joshi, Dr. Holly Kramer, Dr. Blake Shusterman, and professional chef Duane Sunwold—explore the upcoming issue of Advances in Kidney Disease and Health (AKDH), titled "Rethinking the Renal Diet." Tune into this discussion that revolves around the critical need for a shift in dietary perspectives for kidney health, debunking misconceptions and highlighting the benefits of embracing plant-based diets. The team recognizes the historical focus on restriction in the renal diet and offers a new way of thinking that aligns with the preference for "more" over "less." This episode aims to inspire a reevaluation of the conventional "renal diet" and encourages health practitioners to prioritize dietary interventions for improved patient outcomes.

2023 Wrap Up with the NKF Journals

2023 has been a stupendous year in the realm of nephrology research. Host Sam Kant welcomes editors from the National Kidney Foundation’s family of journals to share reflections on the year, while also discussing what listeners can look forward to in research and publication in 2024.  

Celebrating 45 Years of the International Society for Renal Nutrition and Metabolism (ISRNM)!

November 2023 marks the 45^th anniversary of the International Society for Renal Nutrition and Metabolism (ISRNM)! To celebrate, our host is joined by a team of editors and authors from the Journal of Renal Nutrition’s 45th Anniversary ISRNM Special Supplement, which highlights key themes including plant-dominant diets, microbiome modulation, and how to approach nutrition in patients who select conservative care. Join this discussion on key takeaways from three JRN articles and learn how clinicians can turn this research into action to improve patient experiences and outcomes.

 Articles features in the episode include:

• New Insights Into Dietary Approaches to Potassium Management in Chronic Kidney Disease
• Targeting the Gut Microbiota in Kidney Disease: The Future in Renal Nutrition and Metabolism
• Nutritional and Dietary Management of Chronic Kidney Disease Under Conservative and Preservative Kidney Care Without Dialysis

Host: Natasha Dave, MD

Guests: Kam Kalantar-Zadeh, MD, PhD, MPH; Angela Wang, MD, PhD; Brandon Kistler, PhD, RD, MS; Keiichi Sumida, MD, MPH, PhD; Kelly Lambert, PhD, MS

Fatigue before, during, and after Hemodialysis: An AJKD Article Review

This episode deep-dives into a recent AJKD article entitled Fatigue in Patients Receiving Maintenance Hemodialysis: A Review. Our host is joined by a current hemodialysis patient and two of the article’s co-authors to explore and share all about interdialytic and postdialysis fatigue. Listen in as our host and contributors ask the tough questions and review the data around interventions ranging from dialysate composition and temperature to treating depression. Most importantly, hear how the research intersects with a kidney patient’s lived experience in this episode of the Life as a Nephrologist podcast.

Contributing Authors:  Dr. Susan Hedayati and Dr. Parker Gregg

Contributing Patient:  Dr. David Perchinsky

Podcast Host:  Dr. Natasha Dave

Magnesium: Still the ”Forgotten Electrolyte”?

In this episode, our host is joined by members of the Kidney Medicine editorial team and author, Dr. Chintan Shah, to tackle the “forgotten electrolyte”, magnesium. The panel highlights the importance and relevance of magnesium through discussion of four published journal articles, including:

• SGLT2 Inhibitors in Management of Severe Hypomagnesemia in Patients Without Diabetes: A Report of 4 Cases 
• Sodium Glucose Cotransporter 2 Inhibitors and Management of Refractory Hypomagnesemia Without Overt Urinary Magnesium Wasting: A Report of 2 Cases
• Dialysate Magnesium and Coronary Artery Calcification, Bone Mineral Density, and Cramping in Maintenance Hemodialysis: A Quasi-experimental Study
• Serum Magnesium Levels and Cardiovascular Outcomes in Systolic Blood Pressure Intervention Trial Participants

Host: Sam Kant, MD

Guests: Daniel Weiner, MD, MS; Jenny Shen, MD, MS; David Drew, MD, MS; Chintan Shah, MD

Exploring Innovations in Nephrology Education from Undergrad to CME

Increased prevalence and treatment modalities for kidney disease, shifts in priorities, clinical demands, and changes in funding have altered how we approach nephrology education. We are witnessing a massive shift in how education is delivered and implemented; innovative methods now exist outside the classroom and beyond the medical wards. Our focus in this episode is a journal issue of Advances in Kidney Disease and Health*, entitled Nephrology Education for the 21^st Century. The study of nephrology is already a daunting undertaking; how can we develop novel ways of teaching at all levels of higher education? Co-editors Drs. Niralee Patel and Staci Leisman join host Dr. Sam Kant to discuss and explore examples of restructured nephrology curricula and learning methods in undergraduate, graduate, fellowship, and continuing medical education spaces.

*Formerly called Advances in Chronic Kidney Disease.

GN Guidelines: 2021 NKF Kidney Disease Outcomes Quality Initiative Commentary (KDOQI)

This episode explores the 2021 NKF Kidney Disease Outcomes Quality Initiative Commentary (KDOQI) on the Kidney Disease Improving Global Outcomes (KDIGO) guideline for glomerular diseases. The KDOQI commentary provides discussion on issues that are specific for implementation of the KDIGO guidelines in US healthcare settings. Tune in is as our host Dr. Natasha Dave dives into the commentary with Co-Chairs Dr. Bill Whittier, Rush University Medical Center in Chicago, and Dr. Laurence Beck, Boston Medical Center.