Patient Education Resources

Patients may have limited awareness and knowledge about a kidney disease diagnosis and risk factors. Looking for information to reinforce patient education? Click on the links below to access many useful patient education resources.

Online Resources

• American Association of Kidney Patients – AAKP provides educational information, newsletters, videos, and magazines about chronic kidney disease (CKD). Links to support groups, events, and recipes also are included.
• American Kidney Fund
• ANNA Fact Sheets
• Kidney School™ – Kidney School™ is a free educational program for patients with CKD stages 3-5. It has several modules (available in English and Spanish) that patients can view online, download an audio version, or print. Professional resources are also available (licensing agreement available online).
• National Kidney Disease Education Program – This page on the NKDEP website provides information for patients about CKD, diet, understanding test results, hypertension, risk factors, and much more.
• National Kidney Foundation – This patient information center on the NKF website provides links for peer support, dietary coaching, and education for patients and their families
• NKF Kidney Quiz - This interactive quiz provides basic information about CKD and upon completion links the patient to an educational handout about risk of developing CKD.

Educational Handouts

• National Kidney Disease Education Program – This page on the NKDEP website provides links to patient education materials. (Available in English and Spanish.)

Specific Topic Areas

• National Kidney Foundation - NKF provides information for patients about CKD awareness, complications, treatment, and transplant. (Resources also are available in Spanish.)
  • Anemia
  • Chronic Kidney Disease
  • Diabetes
  • Dialysis
  • Diet, Nutrition, and Exercise
  • Glomerular Diseases
  • Heart Health
  • Hypertension
  • Mineral and Bone Disorder
  • Transplantation

Health Literacy Considerations

A patient’s health literacy level should be considered when providing patient education. The readability of some educational material may be at a higher level than the patient is able to understand. Below is a list of resources that may be useful when trying to determine a patient’s health literacy level.

• Health Literacy Measurement Tools (AHRQ)
• Newest Vital Sign (Health Literacy Assessment Tool for Patient Care and Research, Pfizer)
• Health Literacy (CDC)

Compiled by ANNA's Advanced Practice Specialty Practice Network 7/15, Updated 1/20