Starting dialysis is more than a medical event—it's a deeply emotional, psychological, and life-altering transition. For many patients coping with chronic kidney disease (CKD), beginning dialysis marks a new chapter filled with uncertainty, vulnerability, and fear.
What was once a tool to assist clinicians has now become a partner—sometimes even a driver—in decision-making, diagnostics, and system-level management.
I had a discussion recently with a patient who was approaching their one-year mark of dialysis treatment. They shared with me that some people referred to it as their anniversary, which made them feel very uneasy. I explored this topic further with them
Burnout manifests in various ways: emotional exhaustion, depersonalization, and a reduced sense of efficacy. Emotional exhaustion—the feeling of being drained of emotional resources—is the most significant predictor of burnout.
Whether you are a patient or a caregiver, dealing with a serious health condition can bring uncertainty, worry & anxiety.
On the frontlines of the pandemic, healthcare workers face extreme challenges to mental health and wellbeing. As hospitals go “into ‘surge’ mode,” launching rigorous infection control protocols, arranging triage tents, and reserving floors and wings for Covid-19 patients, many medical workers are seeing things that will stick with them for years to come[i]. They are [...]
Kidney disease has become a major illness, given the aging population, the growth in the frequency of diabetes mellitus and hypertension. Kidney disease doesn’t present with any symptoms, and thus may only be diagnosed once it has progressed significantly, to a stage where it is irreversible. The impacts of any disease are not only physical [...]
The sudden news of kidney disease can come as a shock for some, making it difficult to process the information. There may be instances when you want to know more but seem lost in the whole web of advice and multiple clinicians who are now involved. We wanted to provide you a checklist of questions [...]
Janet Wright with Dr. Gavril Hercz As a nephrologist and psychotherapist, I believe it is important to shed more light on the emotional impact of chronic illness, like polycystic kidney disease (PKD), on patients and families. Last year, during the “In Conversation Series”, we shared the 2018 Toronto PKD scientific conference video, in which Ms. [...]
As we approach the year-end, Team Psychonephrology would like to thank you all for your continuous support and encouragement throughout our journey together. We would like to recap some of the topics that received the widest viewership. At the beginning of this year, we started a new blog series, “in conversation series”, where the patients [...]
Any chronic illness, like kidney disease, affects not only the physical wellbeing of an individual but also impacts the psychological and social state. While the physical illness is given its due importance by the healthcare team, as well as caregivers and society at large, the psychosocial aspects sometimes take a backseat, although it is also [...]
We are pleased to inform you that the Psychonephrology project has won first prize in IPA (International Psychological Association) in the community award in Health.
We are glad to share with you that Psychonephrology was recently featured in a podcast titled “Psychonephrology: A Psychodynamic Perspective in the Dialysis Unit”
The medical field is often best suited for individuals who can handle stressful situations with patience, compassion, as well as mental and physical stamina. There is a fine balance in maintaining and applying excellent communication technical skills. Doctors and nurses choose their profession with the hope of making patients feel better, both physically and emotionally. These efforts [...]
A validation from the physician can go a long way in creating a positive environment in which patients will feel more open in expressing themselves better.
