| Theme |
Self-Help Group and Peer Support for Chronic Kidney Disease Patients |
| Title |
Peer support programs as educational resource |
| Author |
Yasuhiro Komatsu |
Division of Nephrology, Department of Medicine, St. Luke's International Hospital |
| [ Summary ] |
Patient peer group members who have experienced similar events or problems can provide both emotional support and valuable information to patients and care givers. This can be used to promote chronic kidney disease patients' self-management skills and help them cope with the disease. Peer group members are not substitutes for healthcare professionals, but are a unique human resource which can support patients from the patients' point of view. They can help CKD patients reduce anxiety and help them make treatment decisions from their personal point of view, in terms of own preferences, and lifestyles. The development and evaluation of training programs for peer supporters is necessary to fully utilize peer supporters' abilities. |