Web-based kidney education: supporting patient self-management.

Connecting patients to appropriate information-and to each other for social support-can help them self-manage chronic kidney disease (CKD) more effectively. For CKD patients, the Internet offers a wealth of resources to meet many educational needs. Understanding the types of Internet sources CKD patients use today can help renal professionals point patients in the right direction. This article will briefly review the state of CKD patient education and social support in the United States, then outline types of Internet-based patient education, and review the value of each type for both education and social support.