NKF Spring Clinicals
in Orlando, FL: 4/17-4/22/2017
~ Kimberlee Langford, RN, BSN, CCM,
CPC
A North, Idaho girl, I was thrilled to go to see the sun in
Orlando for the National Kidney Foundation’s Spring Clinicals – a smorgasbord
of learning!
Pre-Conference, I was hungry to learn more about several
topics: mineral bone disorders, hypothyroid and CKD, hormonal factors, IgA
nephropathy, chronic pain, depression and how this relates to members’ poor
participation in self-care. I wanted to
learn more about how to better inspire and teach our members to build their
belief that they do have control over their health and that they can feel and
live better lives – for those with CKD and for those on their way to CKD who
don’t know it yet.
As Nurse Coaches,
Renalogic Nurses can see, via knowledge and experience, where people with poorly
managed diabetes, hypertension, hyperlipidemia, gout, kidney injury and autoimmune
disorders are going. We have cared for
those on dialysis, we have dressed the amputated feet and legs, we have held
the hands of folks who died as their kidneys failed. We have a vision that our members don’t
have. We have knowledge and education
that they don’t have. Distilling that
into a palatable and meaningful way that stimulates a desire to change requires
us to be well-educated on diverse topics. It requires us to have a network of community
and ancillary healthcare team members to help them access for ongoing support. This conference was so wonderful because of
the diverse professionals to network with, of topics for us to choose from, and
to share nuggets and takeaways with each other.
Also, extremely valuable were those moments out-of-workshop as we
conversed, shared stories, ideas and built relationships with each other.
Personally and professionally, I am so proud to be a
Renalogic Nurse. I am, as the rest of us
are, stirred by the passion for excellence and to really create a change in how
kidney care is managed in our country that our Executive team shares in such a
palpable manner.
I believe that as we
learn the whys – the pathophysiology, the current research findings, and the
questions and ideas on the horizons of renal care – we are so much more
powerfully equipped to break down that complex information and make it more
palatable and more easily digestible for members, and we use that understanding
to help empower people with the information, tools and vision they need to
really effect a change in their lives – to live differently and hopefully to
not just manage – but to PREVENT a CKD diagnosis or to prevent it’s progression
in those who already have it.
This is a BIG deal!
People today live such busy, hurried, hectic, stressed out – out,
overfed and undernourished (in the belly and the spirit) lives. I mean, who has time to cook, to exercise, to
slow down and meditate or laugh?
BUT – that lifestyle comes with a price tag, as everything
does: obesity, cardiovascular issues,
kidney disease, hypertension, stiff aortas, hormone imbalances, diabetes,
cholesterol, addictions and depression, autoimmune disorders, gastrointestinal
issues, cancers – and ALL of these affect our kidneys!
NOTHING is FREE!!! – We pay up front - by finding the time to get adequate and
quality sleep, exercising, nutritious foods, satisfying relationships, learning
how to navigate the healthcare system ---
OR – we pay at the
end: disease, decreased longevity and
quality of life – our very independence.
I found that my focus on helping members to put their energy
into the factors they control was validated --
diet, exercise, communicating with the health care team, taking
medications properly – and I was again struck by how while we learn about
topics individually – we dissect the pieces out to really delve deep to
facilitate our understanding and grow in knowledge…. The really power comes
afterwards when we take those pieces and integrate them into one, great whole
thru lenses colored by individual member/patient significance.
So, in a series of articles, I plan to share what I took
away from this conference - I’ll talk
about topics individually, keeping in mind that people aren’t individual puzzle
pieces that we can manipulate individually.
We have to understand and learn by dissecting into pieces…but we
consider, teach and treat with power and increased effectiveness – as we
consider the WHOLE person. We have to be
able to look at everything at the same time, paying attention to what is really
important to the individual. By keeping
our focus patient-centered and member specific, we not only build trust and
rapport, but we have greater power to secure individual goal achievement,
improve overall health outcomes and reduce risks and global health costs.
There is great power in being curious. Curiosity differs from questioning. Whereas questioning something can sometimes imply doubt and trigger the need to defend oneself; being curious implies an openness, a desire to unfold and discover - without judgment. 
