Dialysis patient characteristics and outcomes: the complexity of social work practice with the end stage renal disease population.
This article describes a demonstration project designed to explore psychosocial risk and resiliency factors, social work interventions and health-related outcomes with dialysis patients. The study is unique in including an interdisciplinary research team to guide the process, using available data contained within the medical record and focusing on interventions and outcomes over time rather than at one or two points in patients' treatment histories. It demonstrates the complexity of practice with dialysis patients and the crucial role for social workers in enhancing patient outcomes. Secondary benefits of this methodology and implications for social work practice and research are discussed.
Dobrof
J
J
Department of Social Work Services, Mount Sinai Hospital, New York, NY, USA.
Dolinko
A
A
Lichtiger
E
E
Uribarri
J
J
Epstein
I
I
D000046:Academic Medical Centers; D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D003625:Data Collection; D005260:Female; D019538:Health Care Surveys; D006302:Health Services Research; D006436:Hemodialysis Units, Hospital / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006786:Hospitals, Urban; D006801:Humans; D007325:Institutional Practice; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009519:New York City; D010347:Patient Care Planning; D010349:Patient Compliance / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006435:Renal Dialysis / Q000523:psychology*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012948:Social Work Department, Hospital / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D012949:Social Work, Psychiatric; D016896:Treatment Outcome