Table of Contents
Expressions of Gratitude and Positive Emotion Among Hemodialysis Patients: Qualitative Findings
Rosalba Hernandez, PhD, School of Social Work, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL; Brett Burrows, MS, and Kenneth Wilund, PhD, Department of Kinesiology & Community Health, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL; Judith T. Moskowitz, PhD, Department of Medical Social Sciences, Osher Center for Integrative Medicine, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL
The current qualitative inquiry solicited hemodialysis (HD) patients to identify events or incidences that have gone well in their day-to-day life and things they consider to be blessings, and to further reflect on the contributors to such events. Hemodialysis patients kept an electronic journal using investigator-purchased tablet computers. Multiple themes emerged for which HD patients expressed gratitude: 1) life itself, 2) positive or improving health, 3) family interactions and social support, 4) clinic resources, favorable treatment therapy, and staff, and 5) other small events. Clinicians are urged to explore the psychological assets that HD patients possess with a focus on how these might be further cultivated and whether their amplification leads to improved quality of life.
Integrating Advance Care Planning Within the Psychosocial Care of Nephrology Patients
Elizabeth B. Anderson, DSW, LCSW, Department of Social Work, Western Carolina University, Cullowhee, NC; Deborah Waldrop, PhD, MSW, School of Social Work, University at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY
Persons with end-stage kidney disease (ESKD) are at increased risk for multiple health complications, including increased hospitalizations and shortened life expectancy. These health risks elevate the urgency to complete an advance directive (AD), allowing patients to express their wishes if they are unable to because of limited capacity. Dialysis social workers are well-positioned to skillfully lead these conversations and respond to emotional distress, family conflict and pain, and symptom burden that many persons with ESKD experience. This paper outlines a framework for dialysis social workers to assess the wishes of patients in the event of worsening health and offers suggestions for interventions when patients and family members experience distress related to serious illness and advance care planning (ACP).
Does Autonomy Really Exist for Impoverished Kidney Vendors?
Courtney Sas, MSW, RSW, MBE, St. Michael’s Hospital, Toronto, Canada
The following paper will explore autonomy in the context of impoverished kidney vendors. I argue that people who live in impoverished countries lack the ability to provide true and informed consent to sell their organs. The focus will be on kidney vendors in Pakistan. I am writing from a social work lens and consider the oppression, exploitation, and injustices that these vendors have faced. Relational autonomy acknowledges that our relationships and environment influence our ability to be autonomous. Therefore, the impoverished vendors’ autonomy in Pakistan is threatened in the context of selling their organs. Lastly, this paper will acknowledge the counterargument that selling one’s kidney should be an option for anyone, regardless of socioeconomic status, and acknowledge the value that a sold organ can bring both the vendor and the recipient.
National Kidney Foundation 2020 Spring Clinical Meetings Abstracts
March 25–29, 2020