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Patient and Family Engagement (PFE)

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Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) recognizes that patients, families, and caregivers are essential partners in the effort to improve the quality and safety of healthcare provided to all patients. It is only by including them as active members of their own healthcare team that quality can be improved and care become more patient-centered; by fully engaging patients, families, and caregivers in the design, delivery and evaluation of care, it is made safer, treatment plan adherence is increased, and hospital readmissions are reduced.

The resources found on this page can help both patients and dialysis facility staff, as part of the healthcare team, fully engage in the process for quality improvement.

For Providers

The following resources can be used to engage patients in the facility’s QAPI program, Life Planning and to find support outside of the facility.

The ESRD Network’s Peer to Peer Support Program was developed to match trained Peer Mentors with Peer Mentees that are new dialysis, considering a treatment change or who are just interested in talking with another dialysis or transplant patient to ask questions or discuss their experience. This section includes all of the information and forms the dialysis facility, Peer Mentor or Peer Mentee needs to get started.

What is Peer Mentoring?

A peer mentor empowers fellow patients to move forward and cope with their lives after being diagnosed with ESRD. Peer mentoring:

  • Helps patients understand the benefit of controlling their health and being involved in their care, which can result in patients living longer and healthier lives.
  • Closes the gap in communication with dialysis staff in an effort to ensure that staff understand patients’ concerns, issues, and priorities.
  • Provides support and increases the confidence that many new patients need.

What are the benefits of Peer Mentoring?

  • Patients may have family and friends to assist with their new diagnosis. However, it helps to have someone who has been through the same experience and has a good understanding of all that dialysis involves.
  • For those who do not have friends or family to assist them, Peer Mentors can be essential in providing strong support.

What is the role of a Peer Mentor?

Peer mentors can have several roles, including:

  • Providing information.
  • Listening to concerns.
  • Sharing experiences.
  • Promoting positive behavior.
  • Offering encouragement.
  • Relieving anxiety.

Who should be a Peer Mentor?

  • Peer Mentors can come from all backgrounds. Mentors should be individuals with positive outlooks on managing kidney disease.
  • Individuals who are succeeding at achieving their treatment goals can provide insight to help others successfully manage kidney disease.

I want to start a peer mentoring program at my facility. Where do I begin?

Contact your ESRD Network for support with starting a Peer Mentoring program at your facility.

Peer Mentoring Resources

Listed below are support groups and peer mentoring programs for dialysis patients.​ Some national, nonprofit organizations also have websites devoted to educating and empowering those with kidney disease.​​

The Department of Health and Human Services National Quality Strategy’s focus on better care for the individual through beneficiary- and family-centered care involves working with patients rather than doing to or for patients. Such partnerships are mutually beneficial to the patients and the facility. Involving patients in your facility’s QAPI and/or Governing Body meetings can be an effective means of engagement and partnership. Below are some tools to help you get started.

Resources

Network 7

Network 15

Network 17

The POC meeting is an ESRD Patient's opportunity to communicate directly with his or her healthcare team about decisions that affect their dialysis care. It is the patient's opportunity to learn more about ESRD and how his or her choices can affect various aspects of treatment. The information provided here will help you to engage more patients in their POC meetings.

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