Registration is now open for community health workers to apply for the CHW Chronic Kidney Disease Training through the Illinois Public Health Association.
Washington, July 11, 2024 April 18, 2020 /PRNewswire/ — Today, Dialysis Patient Citizens (DPC), the nation's largest nonprofit support organization for dialysis patients and their families, is announcing the nation's first nephrology training curriculum for community health workers. The training will help community health workers educate their communities about kidney disease and help people at risk for kidney failure learn how to manage their health and slow the progression of the disease.
“Community health workers are an untapped resource in the fight against kidney disease” Said Andrew ConklingChairman of the Board of Directors of the Dialysis Patients Citizens Association. “DPC strongly believes that by providing this workforce training on kidney failure, we can significantly reduce and slow the progression of kidney disease. This training will empower individuals to better manage their health, learn about treatment options and provide families with the knowledge they need to support their loved ones. DPC is proud to be spearheading this effort.”
“Studies show that 40-60% of dialysis cases begin unplanned or in emergency situations.” Said Elizabeth LivelyChair of the Illinois Kidney Care Alliance CHW Task Force and DPC staff member. “We believe that by providing nephrology training to local healthcare workers, we can reduce the number of emergency dialysis cases and provide patients with the knowledge to understand their treatment options.”
DPC led a 14-person task force for the Illinois Kidney Care Alliance to develop model job descriptions, training objectives and curriculum outlines for CHWs. Key partners in curriculum development included the Illinois Public Health Association and the American Kidney Foundation. Illinois, University of Illinois the Institute on Aging and Diversity, the National Kidney Foundation, Baxter Black KARE, and the HAP Foundation.
The curriculum is made up of six self-paced online modules.
- Your Kidneys and You
- Chronic Kidney Disease Awareness
- Self-care for kidney health
- Inequality and Kidney Disease
- Diagnosis and Treatment
- Dealing with diagnosis, trauma, and grief
This course is completed by attending a two-hour in-person training session. The first training cohort is open. July 22nd to August 16th, 2024All six modules must be completed within this time frame, with the final two-hour face-to-face session taking place at the IPHA Community Health Worker Summit. August 21 in Springfield, Illinois. For more information, please see below. https://ipha.com/professional-development/community-health-worker-summit
Dialysis Patients Citizens: With over 35,000 patient members, Dialysis Patient Citizens (DPC) is committed to improving the quality of life for all dialysis patients through education and advocacy. We are a nationwide, not-for-profit, patient-led organization whose membership is open exclusively to dialysis and pre-dialysis patients and their families. Our policies and mission are defined solely by our members.
Illinois Kidney Care Alliance: A coalition of organizations, community groups, advocates, medical professionals, and businesses from around the world Illinois We are united to put the needs of our patients first. Members of the IKCA CHW Task Force include Citizens for Dialysis (Leaders), the Illinois Public Health Association, the American Kidney Foundation and others. Illinois, University of Illinois Laboratory of Aging and Diversity, Alivio Medical Center, DaVita, Fresenius Medical Care, endowed Hope Organ & Tissue Donor Network, Illinois Association of Community Health Workers, Qsource ESRD Network 10 & 12, and Rush University Medical Center Kidney Transplant Program.
Source: Dialysis Patient Citizen
