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Understanding Healthcare
Working with Your Healthcare Team
Working with Your Healthcare TeamWhen you’re diagnosed with chronic kidney disease, your health care team will help you with treatment choices andlifestyle changes. There are several people on your health care team, but you, the patient, are the most important.“When I go to my appointment and they walk in that room, I am their sole focus.” – Sharon, PatientSharon Erdmann has had chronic kidney disease that requires dialysis for almost three years.She, and other patients with kidney disease, rely on a nephrologist, or kidney doctor, to lead their healthcare team,providing important information to manage their disease.“I usually tell patients that the number one thing they can do is really help control their blood pressure. So bloodpressure control has been shown to be really the number one way that we can control that declining kidneyfunction. So we want to get that under control as best we can.”– Dr. Aaron Dall Nephrologist/Kidney SpecialistOne way to help control blood pressure is with diet. That’s why dieticians, like Kelly Welsh, play such an importantrole in helping patients with CKD.“Diet is so important no matter what stage of chronic kidney disease you’re in. To most importantly manageany symptoms that you might have but also to maintain as healthy of a body as you possibly can.”- Kelly Welsh, RD Renal Dietician“They’re there to help you a lot and try to push through on what’s going on.” – Rogelio, Patient“What foods you know are you eating. Which one should you be eating and how much you should be having.”– Rogelio, PatientOther key members of your healthcare team are nurses and physician assistants.“The nurses are great for education and teaching patients about various aspects of chronic kidney diseaseand/or the end stage kidney disease, where they require dialysis.”– Dr. Aaron Dall Nephrologist/Kidney Specialist“Any time I have a problem, I can pick up the phone and I can call the PD nurse 24/7. They’re always available.”– Sharon, PatientIf your CKD advances to the point where you need dialysis treatments, patient care technicians and social workerswill also join your healthcare team.Page 1 of 2This program is for informational purposes only. Publisher disclaims all guarantees regarding the accuracy, completeness,or suitability of this video for medical decision making. For all health related issues please contact your healthcare provider.HCRN1002398 EN WorkingWithYourHealthcareTeam.pdf© The Wellness NetworkWorking with Your Healthcare Team“Each of us have our own roles and mine is to really help explain to the patient what they can expectemotionally and physically as their treatment begins. And to refer them to the professionals on the team ifthey have questions but don’t really know who to ask.” – Pamela Thome, MSW Social WorkerWhile there are a lot of professionals to help you live with Chronic Kidney Disease, no one is more important onthat healthcare team than you.“They are living with dialysis. They are making their food choices. We’re just here to guide and educate andreally teach. But in the end it’s up to the patient to be as proactive as possible.”- Kelly Welsh, RD Renal DieticianBeing proactive means following your CKD management plan: Eating healthy, getting exercise, taking yourmedications, getting regular lab tests, and follow up appointments with your healthcare team.Page 2 of 2This program is for informational purposes only. Publisher disclaims all guarantees regarding the accuracy, completeness,or suitability of this video for medical decision making. For all health related issues please contact your healthcare provider.HCRN1002398 EN WorkingWithYourHealthcareTeam.pdf© The Wellness Network
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