A new free e-learning course is now available to all patient-facing kidney professionals, designed to strengthen confidence and skills in recognising and responding to the emotional, social and psychological factors that shape people’s experiences of kidney disease.
Psychosocial care for people with kidney disease: Level One Training was developed by the UK Kidney Association in partnership with psychotherapists, counsellors, social workers and clinical psychologists working within kidney services across the UK. Their contribution was made through the National Psychosocial Working Group, hosted by Kidney Care UK.
The training provides a practical introduction to psychosocial care and is suitable for any member of the multi-professional kidney team. Through short, self-paced modules, it explores how emotional distress, adjustment difficulties, family pressures and wider social circumstances can influence treatment engagement, decision-making and wellbeing.
The course covers core skills relevant to everyday practice, including:
- recognising common psychosocial stressors
- communicating with empathy and clarity
- supporting people who are struggling to adjust to long-term illness
- understanding when and how to signpost or refer for psychological or social care
- recognising the emotional impact of clinical work on staff themselves
By reinforcing these shared competencies across the kidney team, the training aims to improve communication, reduce unmet need and create a more consistent approach to emotional and social support throughout the kidney pathway.
This course forms part of the UKKA’s growing suite of free e-learning resources on the Education Hub, supporting professional development across all areas of kidney care.