The Journal Of Nephrology Social Work - Volume 44, Issue 2 (2020)

Table of Contents

Structural Racism and the Racial Medication Adherence Inequity Within the End-Stage Renal Disease Population: A New Theoretical Framework
Tamara Estes Savage, PhD, MSW, College of Health Sciences, University of North Carolina at Pembroke, Pembroke, NC

Blacks or African Americans are almost four times more likely to develop end-stage kidney disease (ESKD) than Whites (United States Renal Data System (USRDS), 2019). Black or African-American ESKD patients are also less likely to manage their medications successfully compared to White ESKD patients (Browne & Merighi, 2010; Curtin, Svarstad, Keller, 1999). Few studies, however, investigate broad social issues, such as structural racism, as a fundamental cause of the inequity. Furthermore, the interaction of structural racism and societal power dynamics in the form of social and cultural capital and their effect on medication adherence inequity has not been explored. This article examines this interaction and its link to medication adherence inequity in the Black or African-American ESKD population and posits a new theoretical framework.

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Eye Care Utilization Among Older Insured Adults with Kidney Disease and Diabetes
Allison Houston, PhD, MS, CPH, Proscenium Data Solutions, Albany, NY

Older adults have increased risk factors for chronic kidney disease (CKD), diabetes, and blindness. Frequent routine screening may help with early detection, management, and prevention of eye disease and blindness. Using data from the National Health Interview Survey (NHIS), this study examined the use of eye health service among a national sample of older insured adults with self-reported diabetes and chronic kidney disease diagnoses. This study demonstrates an important correlation in the use of eye healthcare based on diabetes status, kidney disease status, and length of a diabetes diagnosis. Given the importance of early detection of potential eye disease, encouraging people and their families to seek early and frequent eye examinations is suggested.

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Practice Note: COVID-19: A Dialysis Social Worker’s Response
Amber Blackshear, LCSW, Fresenius Kidney Care, Dallas, TX

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Practice Note: Fear in the Shadows: Stalking in Dialysis and Transplant
Mathias E. Stricherz, EdD, New Mexico Behavioral Health Institute and New Mexico Highlands University, Las Vegas, NM;
Jane Kwatcher, MSW, LCSW, Independent Contractor and Consultant, Claremont, CA;
Charlie Thomas, MSW, LCSW, ACSW, Banner University Medical Center Phoenix, Phoenix, AZ
“Stalking is a crime that can paralyze an otherwise productive person with fear.” (Madigan, n.d.)

In this article, we will provide information about stalking incidents by patients in healthcare and dialysis facilities, make recommendations, and suggest some related resources that can help nephrology social workers and their interdisciplinary colleagues. Stalking in a workplace potentially places the organization, supervisors, employees, and patients at physical or emotional risk, or can result in litigation or reduced work performance.

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