Welcome to the Social work page!
Background: Since the early days of EDTNA/ERCA, the psychosocial issues and concerns of patients diagnosed with CKD have been given a high priority by the Association various activities and publications. The Interest group's contribution was significant and appreciated. The Social Workers Interest Group members have played a major role in the development, not only of the association but also in raising awareness of the psychosocial needs of patients and their families. We are committed to multi-disciplinary education, training and care.
Topics discussed: pre-dialysis assessment, patient and family support, coping with denial, loss, and adherence. The value of holiday dialysis was highlighted through an international research project.
Workshops on: impotence, listening skills, coping with aggression, withdrawing from treatment ,quality of life , violence and aggression, and practical tools for dealing with the dying renal patient issues have been held.
Since 2008 the group was dissolved and I am serving the association as Social Worker consultant.
The aims of the Social work consultant:
- To promote greater understanding of psychosocial aspect s of patients diagnosed with CKD.
- To encourage Interdisciplinary team collaboration among renal staff.
- To provide an European platform for Renal Social Work data exchange
Major Categories addressed by renal social worker:
- Ongoing Psychosocial assessment and evaluation
- Coping with chronic illness and the Renal Replacement Therapy implications on the patient and his family.
- Facilitating emotional support to the patient and his support system
- Resource referrals: welfare benefits and Governmental entitlements, vocational and rehabilitation programs, Community services.
- Patient education and adherence improvement
- Conflict resolution and mediation
- End of life issues and Bereavement
- Advocate renal patient special needs on policy level
The Social Work Interest group's publications:
- Towards a Closer Understanding: A Psycho/Social Handbook for all Renal Care Workers
- Job description and Quality Standards for Renal Social Workers in Europe-available as pdf
2009 Ongoing projects:
Transplantation and Peritoneal Dialysis booklets are in preparations. In both booklets the chapters on the psychosocial aspects are in the process of writing by me.
Hamburg Conference preparations:
Workshop:Positive Psychology: applying Interventions for CKD Patients: the science of increasing happiness.
For all of you interested in enhancing patient quality of life – register to the workshop
For more information about the social work, please contact Nurith Blumenthal: nurith2002@yahoo.com |
