Council on Renal Nutrition

Who We Are

Mission Statement

The Council on Renal Nutrition (CRN) functions as a professional council within the framework of the National Kidney Foundation (NKF) and networks with other organizations to support the National Kidney Foundation's goal of making lives better for those with chronic kidney disease through education, outreach and research in the field of nutrition as it pertains to prevention, eradication and treatment of kidney and urologic diseases.

CRN 5-year Goals and Accomplishments (2008-2011)

GOAL 1

Promote and encourage quality nutrition care of all patients with CKD

  1. Develop, review, and revise standards of practice for nephrology dietitians to promote quality nutrition care.
  2. Promote continuous quality improvement activities by providing nephrology dietitians with guidelines for implementation.
  3. Develop, review and revise continuing education programs and materials for non-nephrology dietitians and dietetic students.
  4. Support nephrology nutrition as a specialty area of nutrition practice.
  5. Encourage the role of nutrition research in defining quality nutrition care.

PROGRESS

GOAL 2

Support the profession of the nephrology dietitian and promote professional education

  1. Conduct a needs assessment through membership surveys every five years and through scientific meeting program evaluations.
  2. Develop, review, revise and market educational materials, programs, and seminars for nephrology dietitians in all subspecialty areas of renal nutrition.
  3. Liaison with the American Dietetic Association – Renal Dietitians Practice Group (RPG) to enhance and promote the ongoing review of renal specialization.
  4. Encourage representation of the nephrology dietitian on NKF national committees; its divisions, affiliate boards, End Stage Renal Disease (ESRD) Network boards, other Federal regulatory agencies and renal editorial boards.
  5. Support and promote the Journal of Renal Nutrition (JRN) as the peer-reviewed publication for the specialty of nephrology nutrition.

PROGRESS

GOAL 3

Develop and promote patient and public education

  1. Conduct needs assessment by conducting a membership survey every five years, and by utilizing the summary of the NKF Public Education Committee's "Needs Assessment Survey”.
  2. Develop, review, revise and market patient education materials and programs for the general public, the at-risk population, and the patients.
  3. Coordinate CRN projects, conceptually and fiscally, with the appropriate NKF committees and approval processes.
  4. Provide professional consultation and representation to NKF, its divisions, its committees, its affiliates, and local CRN Councils about patient and public education materials related to nutrition. Network with other organizations and media contacts, with emphasis on coordination with the American Dietetic Association (ADA) and the ADA-RPG, in the promotion of normal nutrition toward the eradication of kidney disease

PROGRESS

GOAL 4

Stimulate, support, encourage and disseminate nutrition-related research

  1. Expand marketing of CRN Research Grants.
  2. Conduct nephrology nutrition research needs assessment.
  3. Establish and support a national nutrition research question.
  4. Become involved in editorial boards of other NKF publications.
  5. Encourage publication of all CRN Research Grant manuscripts in the Journal of Renal Nutrition.
  6. Develop and oversee an interactive website to guide CRN members through the research process.

PROGRESS

  • CRN provides research grants, with emphasis on supporting research by nephrology dietitians in clinical practice
  • Formed special taskforce in 2008: Research Advisory Group to stimulate research by Registered Dietitians and address any barriers
  • First call for proposals announced in 2008: determination of a predictive equation to estimate energy requirements in the HD population
  • Research Grant manuscripts are consistently published in JREN
  • Support NKF-K/DOQI Guidelines
  • Educational webinar for CRN members held Spring 2009 entitled: Research 101: How to Get Started
  • Letter of support written for DOPPS nutritional research
  • Educational webinar for CRN members held Spring 2010 entitled: Introduction to DOPPS: A Focus on Nutrition

    • GOAL 5

    Impact regulatory and legislative issues

    1. Strengthen liaison with the American Dietetic Association RPG Legislative Chair and develop a committee to improve communication to membership through the CRN Telephone Contact Tree, Renal RD Listserv and through the JREN.
    2. Encourage dietitians’ involvement and networking in ESRD Network Organizations, NKF Patient Empowerment Initiative, and other federal regulatory agencies, in coordination with the NKF National Office.
    3. Encourage representation on the NKF National Impact Committee
    4. Assist in identifying patients to enroll in “People Like Us!”
    5. Provide recommendations to the NKF National Office regarding legislative issues.
    6. Participate in the development and implementation of NKF public policy initiatives through the National offices.

    PROGRESS

    GOAL 6

    Maintain and increase Council membership

    1. Promote formation of new local Councils and maintain communication among existing Councils.
    2. Explore additional membership services and benefits.
    3. Identify and support members practicing in nephrology nutrition subspecialties.

    PROGRESS

    GOAL 7

    Maintain fiscal accountability within the NKF structure in support of CRN goals

    1. Work cooperatively with the Health and Scientific Affairs Division and the Development Division of NKF.
    2. Seek outside funding for projects when deemed appropriate.

    PROGRESS

     

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