An Interprofessional Approach to Kidney Stone Prevention and Management

Course overview

The development of renal calculi, or kidney stones, is a common and recurrent condition affecting millions worldwide and significantly impacts quality of life, productivity, and healthcare utilization. Patients may present asymptomatically or with acute renal colic, hematuria, and/or nausea and vomiting. If left untreated, nephrolithiasis can lead to urinary obstruction, infection, and long-term kidney damage. Accurate diagnosis through urinalysis and imaging is essential to confirm the presence, size, and location of stones and to guide management decisions. This interprofessional educational activity reviews key guideline recommendations, emphasizing the evolving approach to both acute and preventive management. Learners will explore evidence-based strategies for initial symptom control, medical expulsive therapy, and indications for urologic consultation, as well as key components of metabolic evaluation following stone passage. The program also highlights pharmacologic and lifestyle interventions to reduce the risk of recurrence. Participants will gain a comprehensive understanding of stone prevention and management principles, the healthcare teams role in medication counseling and adherence support, and the value of interdisciplinary collaboration in optimizing long-term renal health and patient outcomes.