I was surprised when I attended my November Clinic visit at Henry Ford to find that my social worker was relocated to other facilities. Also, I was surprised at the transition to my new social worker.
The dialysis social worker is a very interesting position on the kidney care team. The position doesn't scream vital like the physician, dietitian and nurse, yet it is still critically important to a patient's well being and ability to embrace life after dialysis. With my eleven years of experience on dialysis, I find that the SW provides a subtle, humanizing aspect to the medical machinery that we rely on for life. The effectiveness of a SW is based on a trusting relationship which is forged over time. At times the SW is critical as when s/he helps a patient to work through important paperwork to ensure dialysis reimbursement or access to medicine. Other times s/he is assisting on the important aspect of helping a patient to find a way back to work or to enjoy aspects of a life they thought they lost forever, such as traveling or intimacy. For me, dialysis social workers have provided a kind smile and check on things that do not require a blood pressure cuff or a poke.
Rather than just informing me that my social worker was gone and that there is a social worker at in-center dialysis that can be made available, it would have been nice for the new social worker to stop by and introduce him or herself. Personal touch is the hallmark of social working. Without being introduced to my social worker and getting to know them I will be reluctant to call for him/her when needed.
