Ms PIP O’REILLY1, MS HELEN GAMMELL1, MS ANN-MARIE CONLON1, MS ROBYN FACCHINI1, MS CHLOE BENNETT1, ASSOOCIATE PROFESSOR KELLY LAMBERT2
1ACT AND SOUTHERN NSW RENAL NETWORK, EUROBODALLA AND BEGA VALLEY, AUSTRALIA, 2UNIVERSITY OF WOLLONGONG, WOLLONGONG, AUSTRALIA
Biography:
Pip O’Reilly is a dedicated leader in renal care, committed to improving patient experiences and advancing kidney health across regional communities. With expertise in education and home therapies, Pip champions a culture of teaching, learning, and workforce development. Her work reflects a belief that collaboration and knowledge-sharing are essential for building resilient teams and enhancing outcomes for people living with kidney disease. Holding a Master of Clinical Nursing and qualifications in Renal Nursing, Critical Care, and Midwifery, Pip’s strong interest in sustainability and health promotion drives her to deliver accessible, patient-centred solutions that empower individuals and strengthen health systems.
Abstract:
Background:
Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) affects 10% of Australian adults and 20% of First Nations adults. CKD contributes substantially to hospitalisations, mortality, and health system costs, with rural communities facing additional barriers to access and early intervention. Progression to kidney failure requires dialysis or transplantation, which is costly and difficult to access in rural areas. International models of care using lifestyle interventions to improve patient outcomes have demonstrated success but remain underexplored in regional and rural Australia. To address this gap, a multidisciplinary CKD education, exercise, and peer support program was developed for adults with CKD stages 3a–3b in regional NSW
Methods:
This prospective single group pre–post evaluation examines outcomes among adults enrolled in the Living Well with CKD program, a five week series of group based workshops delivered by renal nurses and allied health clinicians in partnership with community organisations in rural location. Each workshop incorporates education, skills training, peer support, and an exercise component including walking, strength training, and gentle activities such as yoga or tai chi.
Primary outcome: change in CKD self management capability (CKD SM Questionnaire).
Secondary outcomes: quality of life (EQ 5D 5L), dietary habits, physical capacity (STS 5; 10 metre walk test), program engagement, and satisfaction. An optional post program focus group will explore acceptability and implementation.
Results:
Early focus groups indicated strong enthusiasm for peer support and practical strategies. Thirteen participants and three support people have been recruited to the first program intake.
Conclusions:
Findings will provide evidence on the feasibility and impact of a community integrated CKD education and lifestyle program on self-management, informing scalable and cost effective models of care for rural Australia.