Video Aids Improve Advance Care Planning for Kidney Patients

Using video tools helps older adults with kidney disease better document their treatment preferences and care goals.

Updated on Oct. 27, 2026 in Alzheimer’s

Flat gouache-painted illustration of two minimalist glass forms on a wooden surface, representing clarity in care planning. — A new study reveals that using video decision aids helps patients with chronic kidney disease more effectively document their end-of-life treatment preferences. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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Would you support the use of video decision aids for your own healthcare treatment planning?

A new study shows that using video decision aids helps older adults with advanced chronic kidney disease better document their advance care planning (ACP). These tools, which allow patients to share their treatment goals and preferences, could help improve end-of-life care discussions.

Why it matters

Clear documentation of patient values and treatment preferences is vital for ensuring medical care aligns with individual goals. This approach aims to reduce uncertainty for patients facing difficult decisions about managing kidney failure.

In a randomized clinical trial of 453 older adults across 12 clinics, researchers found that patients using a video decision aid reached 56.6% ACP documentation at 12 months compared to 40.0% in the control group. Whether this increase reliably translates into goal-concordant care remains unknown.

The details

Participants in the intervention arm watched a certified video that explained three distinct treatment options for kidney failure. They then recorded a video declaration to explicitly state their personal goals, values, and treatment preferences for their care team. This process effectively reduced indecision, with only 13.2% of the intervention group remaining undecided compared to 41.3% of the control group.

October 21 to 25, 2026: The Kidney Week annual meeting took place in Denver.
October 22, 2026: The study was published online in JAMA Internal Medicine.
12 months: The timeframe used to measure ACP documentation and treatment preferences.

Health Landscape

This study sits within the broader evolution of patient-centered care, which increasingly emphasizes digital tools to support complex treatment decisions. It marks a shift toward using visual aids to help patients articulate preferences for conservative kidney management versus active treatment.

If you or a loved one are managing advanced chronic kidney disease, discuss your treatment preferences with your nephrologist. You can ask whether your clinical team has resources or decision aids available to help you clearly document your values for future care.

The takeaway

Using visual decision tools may help clarify your treatment preferences when facing serious health transitions. Consider asking your primary care physician or nephrologist how you can best document your personal values to ensure your care team understands your wishes.