DaVita Kidney Care has launched virtual support groups through DaVita Care Connect, a mobile health platform designed for home dialysis patients, which the company says aims to help create a community for those undergoing treatment at home.
“Patients treating at home sometimes feel isolated and miss connecting with other people they feel they can relate to, which causes some patients to leave home treatment,” says Martin Schreiber, chief medical officer for DaVita Home Modalities. “By using our virtual platform to connect home patients with one another, we hope to create a sense of community, belonging and extended support.”
The support groups, which can be scheduled daily or weekly, encourage live, two-way communication between patients to ask questions and share experiences.
Cassidy Roupe, licensed clinical social worker and national virtual patient support group facilitator for DaVita says: “One way to thrive on home dialysis is by having an outlet to connect directly with other home dialysis patients.
“Sessions are structured as a safe space for meaningful conversation, where challenges and successes related to treating at home can be discussed and celebrated.”
The virtual support groups are the latest expansion of DaVita’s investments to strengthen its digital home dialysis platforms with the aim to help patients in home treatment to experience similar care, confidence and safety as an in-centre experience.
Support specialists and patients cover a wide range of topics in the sessions, including:
- What to expect when you’re new to home dialysis
- The path to a kidney transplant
- Living life to its fullest while on dialysis
- Balancing family, friends, work and dialysis
- Stress management
