Social work research in nephrology: A necessity, not a luxury

M.'s diabetes, neglected for many years, was ultimately the reason that her kidneys began to fail. She entered the hospital in kidney failure, blood p ressure dangerously, elevated, and was advised that she would have to begin dialysis within days of admission. Size had her first treatments while sti ll in the hospital. The social worker oriented her to the treatment and sub sequently to the outpatient dialysis unit. She was informed of the entitlem ents, and transportation was arranged for her three-times-weekly dialysis s essions. She was told that she should attend a psycho-educational and couns eling program offered at the dialysis center. M. felt anxious and disorient ed, as though a tornado had struck her broadside, Her would was turned upsi de down as she realized that her life would never again be the same.