People Like Us: Stepping Back Into Life
Welcome to the NKF People Like Us: Stepping Back Into Life Social Worker Audio-Training program. This training program was adapted from a telephone conference call training held with Louisiana social workers in November 2006. If you have joined us again to repeat the training, we welcome you back. Training is a requirement for social workers who wish to implement Stepping Back Into Life in their dialysis units. To receive CEUs, contact Marilyn Jones to register at 800-622-9010 ext. 177 or marilynj@kidney.org
- Lower Stress
- Manage Depression
- Adjust After a Disaster
People Like Us: Stepping Back Into Life (SBIL)
Frequently Asked Questions
- Is a diagnosis of depression or are signs of it required for my patient to be considered for the program?
- My patients have not been directly affected by the hurricanes, nor have they experienced other trauma. Can they still be considered for SBIL?
- My days in the unit are so busy, I don’t know if I have the time I need to do this. How much time will it take to provide SBIL to my patients?
- None of the patients in my unit seem interested. How can I encourage them to consider doing the program?
- My patient has cognitive problems. Can I still offer him the program?
- Is there compensation for patients who agree to do the program?
- I’m not sure how the staff will respond to this program being offered in the unit. How can I educate them about SBIL and its benefits?
- How do the consent & pre-survey processes work?
- What if my patient is getting support through another supportive intervention such as psychotherapy? Is he or she still eligible to participate in SBIL?
Is a diagnosis of depression or are signs of it required for my patient to be considered for the program?
SBIL can be offered to any patient in the dialysis unit. There does not need to be a diagnosis of depression or even current evidence or symptoms of depression. Some social workers have said that starting dialysis is often a traumatic experience, and therefore they are offering SBIL to all new patients. In fact, all individuals who are on dialysis may benefit from SBIL.
My patients have not been directly affected by the hurricanes, nor have they experienced other trauma. Can they still be considered for SBIL?
Yes, even though they have not had direct exposure to the hurricanes or other trauma, patients may benefit. Many have felt that being diagnosed with kidney failure and starting dialysis is a trauma in and of itself.
My days in the unit are so busy, I don’t know if I have the time I need to do this. How much time will it take to provide SBIL to my patients?
SBIL was designed with an understanding of the time constraints for nephrology social workers. To get started, first talk with the patient to introduce SBIL. Then contact the SBIL Research Assistant who will handle the consent, pre and post-survey processes. After the patient has agreed to do the program, the social worker provides the program materials, and then meets briefly with the patient after each audio session. These meetings can take anywhere from 10 minutes to 45 minutes, or so. You decide how much time you have available to meet with patients. Social workers have said that often 10 minutes was a sufficient amount of time for patients to process with them what they have heard.
None of the patients in my unit seem interested. How can I encourage them to consider doing the program?
It is best to introduce SBIL to patients as a program to help people adjust to being on dialysis and coping with the various issues they may experience. And, if they have been exposed to a trauma it will help them understand and cope with these feelings as well. Introducing SBIL as a program for people who are depressed might cause patients to feel singled out or stigmatized.
Some social workers have found that by suggesting a patient listen to just one session to start, the patient is then sold and wants to hear all of the sessions. Another way to encourage participation is by sharing other patients’ positive feedback about the program. Here are some quotes from social workers about what patients have said after listening to SBIL:
- “She felt validated in the methods/tasks she used to work through those stages (of grief), particularly when events occurred that knocked her back into an earlier stage.”
- “He felt there are people out there who truly do understand how he feels, and what he is going through. He used to get very upset with the staff on a regular basis and it would ruin his entire day. Now, he says he gets along much better with the staff, and there is a noticeable change in his behavior and attitude.”
My patient has cognitive problems. Can I still offer him the program?
Even patients who do not seem as if they will be able to appreciate all of the program contents due to cognitive impairment, may benefit from SBIL. There are several aspects of the program that can be appreciated on many different levels.
Is there compensation for patients who agree to do the program?
There is no monetary compensation, however, program participants may keep the SBIL materials at no charge after they have completed the program. This includes the SBIL CDs, handouts and NKF educational booklets.
I’m not sure how the staff will respond to this program being offered in the unit. How can I educate them about SBIL and its benefits?
Some social workers have found it useful to mention SBIL to staff on an informal, one-on-one basis. If you have the opportunity, you may wish to arrange a more structured presentation for a staff meeting. When a patient is involved in the program, documenting this activity in care planning notes is a way to ensure it is available for staff to read.
How do the consent & pre-survey processes work?
When you have identified a patient who is interested in getting started with SBIL, you should contact the Research Assistant who will set up a time to review the consent form and complete the pre-survey with the patient. The Research Assistant will meet with the patient, either in-person or over the telephone, to complete these forms. (NOTE: Only the Research Assistant is certified to obtain consent and complete the pre and post-survey forms.) If the pre-survey is completed by phone, the patient will sign the consent forms and give you two copies. You will keep the blue copy and send the white copy to Emory in the envelope provided in the Social Worker Packet. The patient is then ready to start SBIL.
What if my patient is getting support through another supportive intervention such as psychotherapy? Is he or she still eligible to participate in SBIL?
We encourage patients to obtain support in whatever ways they are comfortable. There is no exclusion for patients who are involved in other supportive programs or therapies.
Pilot Program Audio-Training* for Louisiana Social Workers
*Internet access and speakers needed. Audio files available to download for playback on your computer (speakers required) or any portable device that can play MP3 files like the iPod, Palm Treo, or Pocket PC.
Programs that can playback MP3 audio files:
- Any modern Internet Browser like Internet Explorer or Mozilla FireFox
- Windows Media Player
- Apple iTunes
