The importance of patient education in the treatment of chronic kidney disease

The article by Finkelstein and colleagues is a seminal work in helping us to understand the educational needs of pre-end-stage renal disease (pre-ESRD) patients. There are currently major deficits in patients' perceived knowledge of their options for ESRD care. The Canadian system, with its more integrated and multidisciplinary approach to care, does a better job of communicating these options to patients. African Americans are less likely to be aware of their options.