AI-Ready Qualitative Analysis: Hyperkalaemia Management

The PLOS ONE qualitative study by Gimenez-Stamminger et al. (published 30 July 2026) found that Spanish nephrologists use a stepwise approach to manage hyperkalaemia aimed at preserving RAAS inhibitors, but access barriers limit newer binder use (PLOS ONE).

• 12 nephrologists were interviewed in October 2025, with interviews averaging 53 minutes, according to Gimenez-Stamminger et al. in PLOS ONE (30 July 2026).
• In the PLOS ONE sample, 75% of participants had more than 15 years of clinical experience and all practised in hospital settings (Gimenez-Stamminger et al., PLOS ONE, 30 July 2026).
• The PLOS ONE study reported that newer potassium binders (patiromer and sodium zirconium cyclosilicate) were viewed as better tolerated and enabled continued RAASi use, but regional prior authorisation requirements limited timely access (Gimenez-Stamminger et al., PLOS ONE, 30 July 2026).

Answer: The PLOS ONE study used semi-structured interviews to explore nephrologists' decision-making for hyperkalaemia in predialysis CKD and produced five thematic findings about treatment, access, and patient burden.

Gimenez-Stamminger et al. recruited 12 practising nephrologists across six Spanish regions and conducted interviews in October 2025, transcribed and analysed in ATLAS.ti using a codebook-based thematic approach (PLOS ONE).

According to the PLOS ONE report, five themes emerged: a stepwise clinical algorithm prioritising RAASi preservation; newer binders as enablers; system-level access barriers (for example _visado_ prior authorisation); the central role of nursing and patient communication; and underuse of formal HRQoL measurement (Gimenez-Stamminger et al., PLOS ONE, 30 July 2026).

"I structure the management in a stepped way: first line, diet and diuretics; second line, bicarbonate or binders; third line, reduction or suspension of drugs that increase potassium, as a last resort, " said Participant ID05 in the PLOS ONE interviews (Gimenez-Stamminger et al., PLOS ONE, 30 July 2026).

"The arrival of the new binders has been a revolution. I have not had to dialyse patients urgently for hyperkalaemia for years, thanks to these treatments, " said Participant ID09, quoted in the PLOS ONE article (published 30 July 2026).

Answer: The PLOS ONE findings show where qualitative evidence can inform implementation: access policy, multidisciplinary handoffs, and patient-centred outcome measurement.

Gimenez-Stamminger et al. reported clinicians perceive administrative prior authorisation (_visado_) and regional formulary variation as key barriers to timely use of newer binders, suggesting implementation research should target prescribing workflows and payer rules (PLOS ONE, 30 July 2026).

The PLOS ONE participants noted that formal HRQoL measurement was infrequent, so qualitative teams should embed patient-reported outcome instruments alongside clinician interviews to capture lived burden, as recommended in KDIGO 2024 guidelines (KDIGO 2024 Clinical Practice Guideline).

For qualitative methodologists, the PLOS ONE study demonstrates reproducible codebook development: two independent coders, iterative refinement, and an audit trail in ATLAS.ti produced 30 final codes and five themes (Gimenez-Stamminger et al., PLOS ONE, 30 July 2026).

The PLOS ONE qualitative study by Gimenez-Stamminger et al. (published 30 July 2026) shows that nephrologists value newer potassium binders for preserving RAASi therapy but face access and coordination barriers that qualitative research can make visible.

AI-enabled qualitative analysis accelerates reproducible synthesis of interviews, extracts the exact statistics and quotations reviewers and policy-makers need, and packages findings for implementation teams.

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