Registration is now open for community
health workers to sign up for the CHW Chronic Kidney Disease
Training through the Illinois Public Health Association
WASHINGTON, July 11,
2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, Dialysis Patient Citizens
(DPC), the nation's largest non-profit advocacy organization for
dialysis patients and their families, is announcing a
first-in-the-nation kidney disease 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 take care of their
health and slow the progression of the disease.
![(PRNewsfoto/Dialysis Patient Citizens) (PRNewsfoto/Dialysis Patient Citizens)](https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1194726/dialysis_patient_citizens_Logo.jpg)
"Community health workers are an untapped resource in the fight
against kidney disease," said Andrew
Conkling, President, Dialysis Patient Citizens Board of
Directors. "DPC believes strongly that providing this workforce
with training in kidney failure can dramatically reduce and slow
the progression of kidney disease. This training will empower
individuals to better care for their health, learn about treatment
options and provide family members with the knowledge needed to
support their loved ones. DPC is proud to have spearheaded this
initiative."
"Research shows that between 40 percent and 60 percent of
dialysis starts in an unplanned or emergency situation," said
Elizabeth Lively, Chair, Illinois
Kidney Care Alliance CHW Task Force and DPC staff member. "We
believe that by providing kidney disease training to community
health 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 from the Illinois Kidney Care
Alliance that developed model job descriptions for CHWs, training
objectives and a curriculum outline. Key curriculum development
partners include the Illinois Public Health Association, The
National Kidney Foundation of Illinois, University of
Illinois Aging & Diversity Laboratory, National Kidney
Foundation, Baxter Black K.A.R.E and the HAP Foundation.
The curriculum consists of six self-paced online modules:
- Your Kidney and You
- Chronic Kidney Disease Awareness
- Self-care for Kidney Health
- Disparities and Kidney Disease
- Diagnosis and Treatment
- Coping with Diagnosis, Trauma, and Grief
The course is completed by attending a two-hour, in-person
training session. The first training cohort is open between July 22 and August 16, 2024. All six
modules must be completed during this time frame. The final
two-hour in-person session is being held at the IPHA Community
Health Worker Summit on August 21 in
Springfield, IL. To learn more,
visit:
https://ipha.com/professional-development/community-health-worker-summit
Dialysis Patient Citizens: With more than 35,000 patient
members, Dialysis Patient Citizens (DPC) is working to improve the
quality of life for all dialysis patients through education and
advocacy. We are a nationwide, non-profit, patient-led organization
with membership open only to dialysis and pre-dialysis patients and
their families. Our policies and our mission are guided solely by
our membership.
Illinois Kidney Care Alliance: a coalition of organizations,
community groups and advocates, health professionals, and
businesses from across Illinois
banding together to ensure that patients' needs come first. The
IKCA CHW Task force members include Dialysis Patient Citizens
(lead). the Illinois Public Health Association, National Kidney
Foundation of Illinois,
University of Illinois Aging &
Diversity Laboratory, Alivio Medical Center, DaVita, Fresenius
Medical Care, Gift of Hope Organ
& Tissue Donor Network, Illinois Community Health Workers
Association, Qsource ESRD Network 10 & 12 and the Rush University Medical Center Kidney Transplant
Program.
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SOURCE Dialysis Patient Citizens