MED-NET Conferences 1998, Lille & 1999, Maastricht
Anthology of presentations 4.6.

Experiments in ‘European health care’ across borders. Cases of cross boundary co-operation in the France-Switzerland region

J. Wauters (Lausanne, Switzerland)

The ‘Diamant Alpin’ Project. A multicentre study in chronic dialysis

The application of chronic dialysis, as therapy for irreversible chronic renal failure, remains influenced by numerous patient, medical and socio-economic factors. Their exact role could be clarified by a multicentre prospective study, in a region where the population and medical care is thought to be homogenous.

In total, nine large dialysis centres (treating globally over 1200 patients) of the Piemont - Aoste - Rhône-Alpes - Savoie - Leman region take part in this study.

This project consists of two parts:

• a prospective clinical and biological survey (24 months) including all new patients (about 310) entering a chronic dialysis program, during one full year. The clinical and paraclinical observations will allow the identification of patient - or treatment-related factors which have a prognostic value on physical, social and professional rehabilitation, at short and medium-term
• a collaborative program setting-up educational and communication tools that will improve the quality of patient care

This study will lead to a better management of dialysed patients in each centre and to a better quality of life for these patients. It will also help to determine strategies, adjusted for each region or country, in order to become more cost-effective.

Moreover, the collaboration of these centres from three different countries (though geographically very close and culturally very similar) will promote the quality of education for the medical and paramedical staff, as well as the research programs in these units.

ISBN Number 90.805758.1.X

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