Volume 32, Winter 2009
Table of Contents
Let’s Talk About Sex: Understanding Social Workers’ Approaches to Discussing Sexuality With CKD Patients
Julie Burnett MSW, RSW; Amy Canter, MSW, RSW; Melissa Rubin, MSW, RSW; Michelle Verdirame, MSW, RSW
A review of the literature suggests that patients do not typically initiate conversations related to sexual function. Our small exploratory pilot study set out to understand the barriers social workers face when initiating discussion of this quality-of life issue. Forty-two members of the Canadian Association of Nephrology Social Workers responded online to a short survey pertaining to their discussions with CKD patients around sexual function. The majority of respondents felt they had a working knowledge of CKD and sexual function. Despite most reporting some knowledge and comfort in discussing the issue, only half said they initiate the discussion. This article describes barriers to the discussion of sexual function and presents implications for social work practice.
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Renal Replacement Therapy and Barriers to Choice: Using a Mixed Methods Approach to Explore the Patient's Perspective
Caroline Jennette, MSW; Vimal Derebail, MD, UNC; Judy Baldwin, LCSW; Sandra Cameron, LCSW
Alternatives to in-center hemodialysis as treatment for end-stage renal disease have been shown to increase patient quality of life, decrease co-morbidities and decrease financial strain on both the patient and the health care system. Focus groups (n = 6 groups with 47 participants) and survey data (n = 113) were used to ascertain perceived barriers and facilitators to alternative therapies and psychosocial and educational issues that may affect a patients’ choice of modality among patients utilizing in-center dialysis, home dialysis and renal transplantation. Fear emerged as a predominant theme, both at diagnosis and when choosing a modality. Distrust of the medical system, denial and patient experiences with previous modalities were seen as barriers to care. Results imply that interventions addressing fear and providing more comprehensive pre-dialysis education may decrease barriers.
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Social Work Pioneer: Patricia M. McKevitt, ACSW, LCSW
Joseph R. Merighi, PhD
The Journal of Nephrology Social Work is pleased to initiate a new “Social Work Pioneer” series. This series will feature social workers who have made substantive contributions to the nephrology social work profession through their leadership in policy, practice, research or community service.
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Emotional Exhaustion and Workload Demands of Kidney Transplant Social Workers
Joseph R. Merighi, PhD; Teri Browne, PhD; Sarah Keenan, MSW
This exploratory study examined training issues, emotional exhaustion and workload demands in U.S. kidney transplant social workers. Online survey data were obtained from 91 respondents who represented all 18 End-Stage Renal Disease networks. Findings indicated that the majority of the respondents’ employers provided resources for educational training and paid time off associated with these trainings. With regard to hours per week spent on specific job tasks, respondents indicated that pretransplant activities were the most time-consuming, followed by post-transplant and inpatient work. Generally, emotional exhaustion and workload demands were slightly lower than reported for dialysis social workers. Implications for social work practice and research are discussed.
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NKF 2010 Spring Clinical Meetings Social Work Abstracts
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CNSW Research Grants Program
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