Care Team members

Can you be denied dialysis for refusing to meet with a social worker or dietician?

[WYOAnne NKF Ambassador]

Why wouldn't you want to meet with a social worker and dietician?

Both are there to help you. The social worker can help with the expense of dialysis. The dietician can also help you with a kidney friendly diet that will help you while waiting for a transplant.

[Hidden]

I am not in dialysis myself, my fiance is. Our team is from a larger medical facility who portrays that they care more about controlling patients and money. He (fiance) refuses to follow along with what they say and half the time won't go to dialysis when he is supposed to. We're going to be doing home dialysis after this week so that won't be a problem. But if he could be cut off for being uncooperative, of course without dialysis he's dead. He just feels like all of a sudden everyone is telling him what to do and doesn't like it.

[diydietitian]

Hi Sheila! I am a Renal Dietitian in an outpatient hemodialysis clinic. There is certainly no reason any patient would be denied treatment if they do not meet with members of the care team. I am still required to work at the clinic, however will be limiting direct (in-person) follow-up. As an alternate, I plan to review lab results or touch base with patients via phone call instead. Even during "normal" times, an individual will never be denied treatment for refusing to meet with care team members. Hope this provides some reassurance.

[PracBob]

I really don't know, but I can't think of any reason not to talk with them. I find their input most helpful. I guess you could ask your clinic about it.

[Hidden in reply to PracBob]

I don't know if you saw my other reply. It's actually my fiance who is in dialysis and not cooperating. I was just hoping to find out he'd still be safe. Without dialysis as you already know, it's a death sentence.