DAVITA HIGHLIGHTS BENEFITS FOR DIALYSIS PATIENTS WHO WORK

[okarol]

DAVITA HIGHLIGHTS BENEFITS FOR DIALYSIS PATIENTS WHO WORK

Yesterday0 CommentsPosted in News, DaVita, Business, Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD), End-Stage Renal Disease (ESRD), Dialysis, Social Media Print
DENVER—DaVita , will highlight the benefits of maintaining employment for dialysis patients this week through a social media campaign spanning several platforms.

The United States Renal Data System (USRDS) shows that 50 percent of all dialysis patients are of working age, yet only one in five of those patients work. Additionally, a study showed that two out of three patients who were working in the year prior to dialysis quit their jobs within the first four months of beginning dialysis treatments, a result likely driven by outside pressure and the fear of the unknown.

But, for some patients, that isn’t the case.

“When I learned I had to go on dialysis, I was working at the time. I never even thought that I would stop working,” said Julie Spreckelmeyer, marketing and communications professional and DaVita peritoneal dialysis patient. “My goal was to keep working and to keep up my regular lifestyle.”

DaVita aims to raise awareness of the benefits of continuing to work because research has shown that patients who remain employed are happier, healthier and more likely to get a kidney transplant:

Dialysis patients who continue to work after starting treatment are 21 percent less likely to have depression (source)
In a study measuring Patient Reported Outcomes, employed ESRD patients scored higher than those who were unemployed in many areas (source)
Dialysis patients who maintain employment are twice as likely to get a kidney transplant (source)
Additionally, patients who continue to work also typically describe themselves as more financially secure.

“Social media is yet another channel where we, as a dialysis provider, can educate patients about the benefits of maintaining employment,” said Allen R. Nissenson, MD, chief medical officer at DaVita. “The benefits of continuing to work are great and with this effort we can help shift the end stage renal disease program back to one of rehabilitation and health, rather than solely maintaining a chronic illness.”

During the week of Dec. 9 through 14, DaVita will be highlighting these benefits through the following social media tactics:

Google+ Hangout On Air

On Thursday, Dec. 12, at 6 p.m. MST, DaVita will host a Google+ Hangout discussing the topic of working and dialysis called Stay Employed, Stay Healthy – Tips for Dialysis Patients. Speaking on the video panel will be Allen R. Nissenson, M.D., chief medical officer at DaVita; Tommie Reese, DaVita dialysis patient and campus police dispatch supervisor at University of Alabama - Birmingham; Julie Spreckelmeyer, DaVita dialysis patient and marketing and communications professional; and Shelley Murphy, renal social worker at DaVita.

Facebook

Every kidney disease story is different, so it is good to hear many. Join DaVita’s Facebook community to hear personal stories from DaVita patients and Facebook community members regarding their personal experiences with balancing work and dialysis.

Pinterest

Follow DaVita on Pinterest for quick and easy recipes posted each day; these recipes are perfect for dialysis patients who must prepare dinner after work for themselves or their family. DaVita’s recipe boards also include nutritious, yet quick to prepare, breakfast ideas.

Instagram

DaVita will release a series of “instagraphics” (Instagram-sized infographics) on their Instagram account throughout the week. Follow DaVita on Instagram to see the colorful, graphic representations of statistics related to working and dialysis.

Twitter

DaVita will be sharing facts and statistics about benefits of maintaining employment for dialysis patients on Twitter using hashtag #WorkWithCKD.

For more information on working and dialysis, please visit DaVita.com/WorkingPatients or call 1-888-405-8915.

http://www.renalbusiness.com/news/2013/12/davita-highlights-benefits-for-dialysis-patients-who-work.aspx

[geoffcamp]

This is true working is a huge boost to health on dialysis. BUT!!!  Just try finding a job that will deal with your situation!!!  In my case I've worked most of the time on dialysis but I'm the first to get "laid off" and the time I need for treatment, doctors appointments and emergencies is always an issue. Plus this economy is proving more and more difficult to find employment.

[christian2170]

I agree. I worked my entire life. I had a transplant in 2005 and now will probably have to go on dialysis again. I got "laid off" from my last job after 8 years. So I started my own  computer repair business. It is flourishing but now I'm sort of in limbo as my kidney is starting to go downhill and I get more and more tired.

[cattlekid]

I am sick and tired of this BS line that DaVita pushes.  Yes, it's a benefit to work while you are on dialysis.  That's pretty well known.  BUT they do not make it easy.  Ask around and find out how many DaVita clinics offer nocturnal or fourth shift dialysis in center.  Ask around and find out how many clinics offer home hemo training.  Ask around and find out how many clinics work out alternative delivery schedules for PD patients who live in small apartments or houses without storage. 

Until clinics provide more than just lip service to those who want to work, then they can take their press releases and  .

[iolaire]

I wonder if the Dialysis and work stats might also be segmenting the Dialysis patients in other ways and thus be biased. 

I.e.
* are the people that are able to work more likely to be in less physical employment that have less physical stress on the body? 
* Or by working do they have overall better healthcare usage since they may be covered by insurance before ESRD and after? 
* Or maybe its just an easy way to select people who have had less impact from ESRD - if you are working that probably means that you are fairly functional, versus those who don't work might not be working because they are less functional?

Background - Since high school third parties have helped push me to get a job that would be manageable in the event of medical problems.  I've had Lupus since high school and have known that I may be handicapped by it, therefore the State of Alaska through its vocational rehabilitation program helped me pay for part of my college education.  I think back to that and now and believe that dialysis is much easier since I have a seated office job (publishing/databases) than if say I framed buildings like my brother...  (The support was good, but I moved from Alaska, and I probably would have gone the same college route without their small support.)  And being in a office /technical job I think it makes it easier for them to support my work/dialysis schedule.