Structured Peer Support Program for End Stage Kidney Disease Patients

Study start date: June 6, 2022

Mentor Patient Participants Inclusion criteria: * Patients living with dialysis or kidney transplant, who volunteer to support other patients. * Mentor participants agree to complete the CMS End Stage Renal Disease Network Peer Mentoring training program (https://www.kidneylearninghub.com/patients-peer-mentoring-program/ ) and follow the guidelines for participation in the program. Mentor Patient Participants Exclusion criteria: * Age \<18 years. * Patient cannot communicate in English. * Concerns raised by the clinical team that may expose the mentor, mentee, staff, or the program to risks, as identified by the clinical team and discussed with the principal investigator. Mentee Patient Participants Inclusion criteria: * All incident (new) dialysis patients or their care partners, within the first three months of dialysis. OR * Prevalent dialysis patients or their care partners identified by the clinical team to need peer support. Mentee Patient Participants Exclusion criteria: * Age \< 18 years. * Significant physical or psychological health conditions (including cognitive impairment) that would limit the patient's ability to interact with the mentor, AND care partner not available or reachable to join the program. * This criteria will be subjectively evaluated by the clinical team. Clinical and administrative staff supporting the program inclusion criteria * referring physicians, the medical director of the center, social workers, nurses, patient care technicians (PCT), certified clinical hemodialysis technicians (CCHT), and administrative staff. * Support staff are those who interact with mentors or mentees as part of their routine work. * Formally participate in supporting the program by identifying candidates, introducing them to the program, or providing them with support.