Background
With a prevalence of more than 2 million patients with chronic kidney disease, the pressure on nephrologists in Germany to provide care is extremely high. While therapy requires complex treatment decisions based on a multitude of laboratory parameters, possible comorbidities, the psychosocial situation of the patients and their perceived general quality of life, nephrologists currently have only an insufficient data basis at their disposal, while the high visit frequency does not allow for a comprehensive anamnesis during the consultation.
Aims
Within the 18-month long project nephroDS, the goal is to develop a holistic digital nephrological decision support system that is oriented towards the decision-making processes and support preferences of nephrologists. The nephrological decision support system developed in the project is intended to make it easier for the almost 2850 nephrologists registered in Germany to understand complex interrelationships, offer predictions on the course of negotiations and promote the integration of dietary recommendations in nephrological therapy.
Method
On the one hand, machine learning methods must be developed on the technical side. On the other hand, the technical approach must be integrated into a user-centred product to provide the best possible support for nephrologists' treatment decisions. In order to enable customised decision support adapted to the workflows and decision-making processes of nephrologists, importance is attached to the involvement of nephrologists in the entire development process. In the sense of participative design, design solutions are iteratively developed, implemented and evaluated together with nephrologists. The Institute of Ergonomics and Human Factors is responsible for the scientific user-centred supervision of the project and supports the conception, implementation and evaluation of user studies for the development of the architecture and the user interface of the nephrological decision aid.
Partners
eMedicals Healthtech GmbH
Fraunhofer Institute for Computer Graphics Research IGD
Institute of Ergonomics and Human Factors
Funding
This project (HA project no.: 1008/21 – 10) is funded within the framework of the Hessen Innovation Promotion Programme by the LOEWE – Landes-Offensive zur Entwicklung Wissenschaftlich -ökonomischer Exzellenz, Förderlinie 3: KMU-Verbundvorhaben.
