On 22 Feb 2023, WSJ ran a special section titled “Guide To Wealth.” In this section on page S3, there is an article titled “Why Your Retirement Plan Should Include Ice Cream” by Andrew Welsch. After reading his article and pondering about it – he tied in the concept of “Social Portfolio,” I began to picture his musing directly applying to those of us who are tied to a regime of dialysis, and for me, Peritoneal Dialysis.
To paraphrase him to some extent, he suggests the little things in life are what make us smile, like going out for an ice cream cone. Going out for an ice cream cone is a proxy for quality of life. You need mobility, freedom, and some cash in your pocket to get an ice cream cone. Being able to do so implies the maintenance of a higher quality of life, herein while on dialysis. Welsch extended this concept to not just getting to an ice cream cone, but who will you have one with? This is where he introduced the concept of the social portfolio. Do you have friends to share an ice cream cone with? Will you be able to find new friends while on dialysis? It takes time, which directly is a function of the quality of life you are experiencing.
With all of these strange concepts floating around in my brain, and now I’ve added something called a social portfolio, it became starkly apparent I needed to know more about this squishy thing. (It’s squishy because as an engineer if I can’t attach numbers to an entity and put it into a formula to predict the future with an acceptable degree of accuracy, it’s squishy.) I turned to my trusty companion AI bot, Notion, and with editing, produced the following for our common edification:
Introduction
Dialysis patients face numerous challenges that can negatively affect their quality of life. One of these challenges is social isolation, which is common in this population due to the need for frequent medical appointments and treatment sessions. A social portfolio is a valuable tool that can help dialysis patients manage their social lives and maintain a sense of normalcy. This blog will explore the role of the social portfolio in dialysis patients, with a focus on peritoneal dialysis.
The Social Portfolio
The social portfolio is a document that contains important information about a patient’s social life. It includes contact information for family, friends, and healthcare providers, as well as details about support groups, hobbies, and other activities. The social portfolio is designed to help patients stay connected with their social network and maintain a healthy balance between their medical treatments and their personal lives.
Social Isolation in Dialysis Patients
Social isolation is a common problem among dialysis patients, as they often have to spend several hours a week receiving treatment. This can make it difficult for them to maintain normal relationships with family and friends and can lead to feelings of loneliness and depression. Social isolation can also impact a patient’s physical health, as it has been linked to an increased risk of cardiovascular disease, cognitive decline, and premature death.
The Role of the Social Portfolio in Dialysis Patients
The social portfolio can be an effective tool for combating social isolation in dialysis patients. By providing patients with a comprehensive list of contacts and activities, the social portfolio can help them stay connected with their social network and maintain a sense of normalcy. It can also help patients identify support groups and other resources that can provide them with emotional and practical support.
Peritoneal Dialysis and the Social Portfolio
Peritoneal dialysis (PD) is a type of dialysis that uses the lining of the abdomen to filter waste products from the blood. PD is often done at home, which can make it easier for patients to maintain their social lives. However, even patients with PD can still experience social isolation, especially if they have limited mobility or live in remote areas.
The social portfolio can be particularly valuable for PD patients, as it can help them stay connected with their social network and maintain a sense of normalcy while receiving treatment at home. PD patients can use their social portfolio to identify local support groups, connect with other patients online, and find activities that they can participate in from home.
Conclusion
In conclusion, a social portfolio is a valuable tool that can help dialysis patients manage their social lives and combat social isolation. PD patients, in particular, can benefit from the social portfolio, as it can help them maintain their social lives while receiving treatment at home. It is important for healthcare providers to encourage patients to create a social portfolio and to provide them with the resources they need to stay connected with their social network.
References:
- Marquez-Herrera EC, et al. Social isolation and health-related quality of life in chronic kidney disease. J Ren Care. 2017 Mar;43(1):10-18.
- Bossola M, et al. Social support and chronic kidney disease: an update. J Nephrol. 2018 Feb;31(1):15-22.
- Chan R, et al. Social isolation and loneliness among patients receiving dialysis: a cross-sectional survey. Hemodial Int. 2019 Apr;23(2):274-282.
- Lopes AA, et al. Social support and mortality in patients undergoing long-term hemodialysis. Am J Kidney Dis. 2004 Sep;44(3):471-9.
- Brown EA, et al. Peritoneal Dialysis—Today and Tomorrow: State of the Art and Future Directions. J Am Soc Nephrol. 2020 Mar;31(3):406-422.
- Crabtree JH, et al. Quality of life among patients receiving different renal replacement therapies: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Am J Kidney Dis. 2017 Oct;70(4):548-558.
- Gilmartin H. Peritoneal Dialysis: A Review of the Evidence. Clin J Am Soc Nephrol. 2019 Mar;14(3):425-433.
- Purnell TS, et al. Social Support, Quality of Life, and Clinical Outcomes in Hemodialysis Patients. Am J Kidney Dis. 2005 Oct;46(4):661-9.
- Wong CKH, et al. Social support and health-related quality of life in patients undergoing hemodialysis in Hong Kong. Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2019 Jul;16(13):2396.
- Lopes GB, et al. Social support and chronic kidney disease: A scoping review. Braz J Med Biol Res. 2018 Jul;51(10):e7446.
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