Author(s): Sousa, Helena ; Ribeiro, Oscar ; Figueiredo, Daniela
Date: 2025
Origin: Portuguese Kidney Journal (PKJ)
Subject(s): Kidney Failure, Chronic/psychology; Psychological Intervention; Psychometrics; Renal Dialysis/psychology
Document details
Strengthening Renal Psychology in Portuguese Dialysis Centres: The Implementation of Evidence‑Informed Psychological Practices
Description
Hemodialysis imposes a significant psychological burden on people receiving this kidney therapy and their families. However, the role of Renal Psychologists remains underrecognized in the majority of nephrology centres worldwide, including in Portugal. This review article presents the rationale, development, and implementation of evidence‑informed psychological assessments and interventions organised in Portuguese dialysis centres. Overall, three resources – two patient‑reported outcome measures that aim to facilitate the triage of psychological distress and its sources in people on hemodialysis (Hemodialysis Distress Thermometer for Patients [HD-DT]) and informal/family caregivers (Hemodialysis Distress Thermometer for Caregivers [HD-DT-C]), and an Internet‑mediated psychoeducational intervention (the Connected We St@nd programme) ‑ are presented and discussed as a means to optimise interdisciplinary collaborations and the expansion of professional psychological support services in (national and international) nephrology care settings.
Document Type
Journal article
Language English
Language English
