Conservative Kidney Management: Masterclass
- Continuing Education
Have you cared for a patient with advanced kidney disease who didn’t want dialysis? Advance your expertise in conservative kidney management (CKM) by joining an immersive, interprofessional masterclass. Gain evidence-based insights, practical skills, and collaborative strategies to deliver high-quality, patient-centered CKM.
- Live Online or In Person
This course is taught in person and online in real time.
Marshall A. Wolf Conference Room: 60 Fenwood Road, Boston, MA, 02115
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Overview
The Conservative Kidney Management Masterclass will provide nephrology fellows, nephrologists, and other clinicians including nurse practitioners, physician assistants, nurses, social workers, and dieticians with the information and skills needed to provide high quality conservative kidney management (CKM) to patients with advanced kidney disease whose values and goals of care are not aligned with dialysis initiation.
Taught by leading nephrology and palliative medicine faculty from across the HMS network, as well as international leaders in kidney palliative care, the CKM Masterclass will deepen the knowledge base of clinicians caring for nephrology patients in a wide range of settings. The course will review evidence related to survival and symptom management, including specific sessions on pain, fatigue, pruritus, nausea, restless legs, and insomnia. A session on nutrition in CKM will outline an approach to treating malnourishment and frailty in this population, as well as dietary recommendations that optimize patients’ quality of life. An interactive interview will highlight the patient and caregiver experience in CKM and emphasize the interprofessional team approach for providing high quality care.
The CKM Masterclass will show that CKM is not the same as “doing nothing” or “giving up” – it can be a robust, proactive, holistic approach to care that prioritizes patients’ values over time.
Learning Objectives
- Identify the clinical evidence and outcomes of CKM, including survival, symptom burden, and functional trajectories.
- Recognize how CKM is implemented in diverse care settings from global and interprofessional models.
- Develop and practice communication skills to navigate conversations about dialysis, prognosis, and care preferences.
- Master non-dialytic symptom management strategies for managing common issues like pruritus, fatigue, nausea, and pain.
- Assess and address the unique psychosocial needs of patients who elect CKM and their caregivers.
Developed and Offered By:
Continuing Education courses are developed by faculty from Harvard Medical School's teaching hospitals and accredited by Harvard Medical School. This course is offered by Brigham and Women's Hospital.
Participant Types
Nephrology Clinicians, Palliative Medicine Clinicians, Primary Care Clinicians, Geriatrics Clinicians, Mental Health Professionals, Social Workers, Dieticians, and Pharmacists.
Schedule
All agenda sessions are in Eastern Time.
Saturday, January 10, 2026
Registration and Breakfast
7:45-8:00 am
Welcome and Introduction
8:00-8:30 am
Patient and Caregiver Panel
8:30-9:30 am
Overview of Conservative Kidney Management/Evidence
9:30-10:30 am
Break
10:30-10:45 am
Pain
10:45-11:00 am
Pruritus
11:00-11:15 am
Taste Changes and Nausea
11:15-11:30 am
Fatigue, Insomnia, Restless Legs
11:30-11:45 am
Q&A
11:45 am-12:00 pm
Lunch Break
12:00-12:15 pm
Clinical Pearls & Lunch with the Experts
12:15-1:00 pm
Nutrition in CKM
1:00-2:00 pm
Communication Skills
2:00-3:00 pm
Break and afternoon refreshments
3:00-3:30 pm
KidneyPal CKM Online Curriculum and Resource Review
3:30-4:30 pm
Closing Remarks: Current State and Future Considerations
4:30-5:00 pm
Faculty
Harvard Medical School Continuing Education attracts the best and brightest faculty from all around the world. As a student in this course, you’ll have access to outstanding course directors and faculty.
Samantha Gelfand
MD | Course Director
Joshua Lakin
MD | Course Director
Kate Sciacca
NP | Course Director
Caroline Taverna
MSW, LICSW | Course Director
Lauren Greco
Course Director
Request Information
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Course Fees
Fee Disclaimer
You may register through our secure online environment and will receive an email confirmation upon receipt of your payment. Virtual tuition includes electronic syllabus and access to recordings for 120 days after the course.
At the end of the registration process, a $10 non-refundable processing fee will be added to your registration.
| Role | Course Fee |
|---|---|
| Physician (MD/DO) | $100.00 |
| Nurse (RN/APRN) | $100.00 |
| PA | $100.00 |
| Psychologist | $100.00 |
| Resident/Fellow | $100.00 |
| Social Worker | $100.00 |
| Allied Health Professional / Other | $100.00 |
Accreditation
The Harvard Medical School designates this live activity for a maximum of 7.50 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit(s)™. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.
Harvard Medical School designates this live activity for a maximum of 7.50 ANCC contact hours.
Harvard Medical School has been authorized by the American Academy of PAs (AAPA) to award AAPA Category 1 CME credit for activities planned in accordance with AAPA CME Criteria. This activity is designated for 7.50 AAPA Category 1 CME credits. PAs should only claim credit commensurate with the extent of their participation.
The American Medical Association (AMA) has an agreement of mutual recognition of continuing medical education (CME) credit with the European Union of Medical Specialties (UEMS). Additional information regarding this agreement may be found on the European Union of Medical Specialties website.
The Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada recognizes conferences and workshops held outside of Canada that are developed by a university, academy, hospital, specialty society or college as accredited group learning activities.