Reflection:
In this activity, I learned about the identification, evaluation, and management of patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD). One of my key takeaways is how critical it is to monitor kidney function through urine albumin levels and the estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR). In addition to learning more about these tests, I gained a deeper understanding of how essential it is to use critical thinking when screening at-risk individuals and how important early detection is. Before this activity, I didn’t realize how complex identifying CKD could be. The updated research emphasizes the importance of considering multiple factors, such as albumin levels, age, and diabetes status, for predicting CKD progression.
Initially, I expected the diagnosis of CKD to be more straightforward. I didn’t anticipate how crucial it would be to use these tests as predictive indicators, given that CKD is irreversible. This activity also reinforced the importance of making nutrition information accessible to help prevent diseases like CKD. I believe this knowledge, along with critical thinking, will be invaluable when providing patient care in the future.
As a future dietitian, one of the most valuable lessons I learned is the importance of coordinating with other healthcare professionals. In this activity, collaboration between the dietitian, nephrologist, and other health professionals was emphasized. This coordinated care is essential not only for CKD patients but also across many other disciplines in nutrition.
This experience also sparked my interest in learning about additional tests that are essential for understanding health and nutrition. I’m particularly excited to learn more about the thought processes and protocols that dietitians use. Every patient’s nutrition, lifestyle, habits, and behaviors are unique, and while it will be challenging to navigate this complexity, I believe it will also be highly rewarding.
I would definitely continue with this learning experience in the future. Although I am primarily interested in a career path focused on human performance, I believe that overall health is the foundation of optimal performance. Additionally, health should be a primary goal in itself. I am also aligned with King’s College’s belief in the "Total Diet Approach." Because of this, learning experiences like this are crucial for establishing guidelines on implementing dietary practices and ensuring that there are competent dietitians available to manage diseases like CKD.
