Kidney Commute

Optimizing Kidney Health Care for LGBTQIA+ Patients

The National Kidney Foundation is excited bring to you an important conversation about awareness, sensitivity and understanding of the LGBTQ+ community. In this episode, we will discuss how the use of appropriate intake forms, use of pronouns and having open conversations can create an inclusive healthcare environment and create a shared decision making environment. Participants will receive education on what considerations should be made when exploring gender affirmation hormone therapy or surgery in their patient population. Gender-affirming hormone therapy can be taken as pills, patches, gels, or by injection.  Hormone therapy can be given alone or with preparation for gender-affirming surgery.  Want to learn more? Hop in and enjoy this episode of the Kidney Commute!

Click HERE to claim CE Credit.

Working Towards Transplant

In this episode, we discuss the process of working towards a kidney transplant. Exploring the steps from the perspective of the patient and the different members of the healthcare team. We find out when a referral for transplant is appropriate, as well as the testing required before a patient is deemed a good candidate for a kidney transplant.

Click HERE to claim CE Credit.

Living Donation and Transplant

Transplant is the preferred modality for many people with end-stage renal disease. There are approximately 100,000 people waiting for a kidney transplant, with wait times exceeding 10 years in some regions. Join us on this ride as we discuss ways to find living donors as an alternative to a deceased donor kidney transplant. We will discuss the experience of living donors through the work up phase, the surgical phase, and throughout the emotional and physical healing phase of this life-saving gift.

 

Click HERE to claim CE Credit.

Sexuality and Kidney Disease

Sexual dysfunction (SD) is incredibly common in patients with kidney disease. In women, SD is classified as sexual interest/arousal disorder, orgasmic disorder, and genitopelvic pain/penetration disorder. For men, SD is classified as erectile disorder, hypoactive disorder, premature ejaculation, and delayed ejaculation. Studies have shown rates of SD as high as 92% of women with CKD and 70-85% of men, with increasing rates as kidney disease progresses. In this episode, our interdisciplinary team discusses why SD is so prevalent in patients with CKD, how it is discussed and diagnosed, some treatment options, and our thoughts on how to improve communication about this important but often neglected aspect of overall health.

 

Click HERE to take the pre-test, then return to claim CE Credit.

 

Access our resources here:

“Sexuality and Kidney Disease” from NKF Website: https://www.kidney.org/atoz/content/sexuality

Rosy App

https://meetrosy.com/

 

Kidney Disease and the Holidays

Having a chronic illness can be difficult for anyone. ESRD requires pre-planning to include 3 or more weekly dialysis sessions while traveling. Considering diet and fluid restrictions while planning family meals can be physically and emotionally taxing. In this episode, you will gain insight into the patient experience of planning around the holidays and professional teams knowledge in providing the best education for patients and the best holiday outcomes.

Click HERE to take the pre-test, then return to claim to claim CE Credit.

Depression and Dialysis- Reviewing the ASCEND Study

This episode discusses depression in people on dialysis in light of the PCORI-funded ASCEND study.  Major depressive disorder is four times more common in people undergoing long-term dialysis than in the general population and is associated with greater non-adherence, higher healthcare utilization, poorer quality of life, and higher mortality. A panel discussion puts these results in perspective and discusses next steps in the treatment of depression from the vantage point of the study team.

 

Click HERE to claim CE Credit.

Transitions of Care (AKI/CKD to Dialysis)

This episode discusses transitions of care for kidney patients. This includes patients who had never had any kidney issues who present to the hospital with acute kidney injury, some of whom require dialysis - at least temporarily. It includes patients who have known chronic kidney disease who crash into dialysis, as well as outpatient chronic kidney disease patients who are transitioning to outpatient dialysis. 

These transitions can be hard for patients to undertake. It is our role as healthcare providers to understand their struggle and familiarize ourselves with the perspectives of the different players in patient care, as well as of course, the patients themselves.

Click HERE to claim CE Credit.

Breastfeeding

Becoming a new parent can be overwhelming. A major difficulty facing new parents is determining how best to feed their new baby, and when you have kidney disease there are additional risks and benefits regarding breastfeeding versus formula feeding. In this episode of the Kidney Commute we are joined by experts who will address some of the unique issues facing new parents with kidney disease when it comes to breastfeeding, including the most up to date recommendations and safety of various medications to the breastfeeding infant. Given the current formula shortages, this is a very pertinent conversation that many kidney patients with infants are having right now and we hope to shed light on this important issue.

Click HERE to claim CE Credit.

Dialysis Options

In this episode, the interprofessional panel will discuss the various treatment modalities available to ESKD patients. The team will outline treatment options, pros and cons of treatment options for different patients, and how treatment planning can improve patient outcomes. Hear a dietitian and social worker review the dietary and psychosocial implications of different treatment modalities.

Click HERE to claim CE Credit.

Salt Intake and CKD

In this episode we discuss salt intake in the setting of chronic kidney disease. We start our discussion defining salt vs sodium and further discuss the physiology and outcomes of a high-sodium diet. We also review the guidelines and some helpful tips on implementing them. Understanding that patient challenges to a low-sodium diet might be present, we hear from our multidisciplinary panel on recommendations to overcome these problems. The episode finishes with a review, and discussion of the beneficial outcomes of successful implementation of a low-sodium diet.

Click HERE to claim CE Credit.

 

After listening, check out episode 12 of NKF's Hot Topics in Kidney Health podcast series, How Much Sodium is Safe for Kidney Patients?