ASPECTS OF PSYCHOSOCIAL CARE IN CHILDREN WITH CHRONIC-RENAL-FAILURE AND THEIR FAMILIES

Being confronted with chronical illness in childhood and adolescence i mplicates a high degree of physical and emotional burden hardly coped with without external support. For this reason psychosocial services t o support children with chronic renal failure recently have been initi ated at several pediatric nephrology centres during recent years. The spectrum of psychosocial burdens accompanying chronic renal failure in childhood is revealed. Tasks and interventions of psychosocial servic es corresponding to these burdens are described. The presented data co ncerning educational and vocational rehabilitation of young renal pati ents demonstrate the continous need of qualified psychosocial staff, a lthough the basic equipment of pediatric nephrology with psychosocial services has increased during the last years. In conclusion a concept of integrative patient care is illustrated by giving practical suggest ions increasing the patient's compliance.