In this episode of Kidney Health Connections, Dr. George Hart and Jessica Demaline, senior vice president of healthcare operations at Interwell Health, discuss the critical issue of managing depression among individuals with chronic kidney disease (CKD). People with CKD are at a significantly higher risk for depression, which can severely impact their ability to manage their kidney disease and related comorbidities. The conversation emphasizes the importance of screening for depression regularly, the role of primary care providers in supporting patients, and tools to assess depression and anxiety symptoms.
The episode also explores the advantages of value-based care over fee-for-service models in enabling healthcare providers to take a more comprehensive approach to patient care, addressing not only kidney disease but also mental health, social determinants of health (SDoH), and overall well-being. This holistic approach includes offering additional resources like counseling, social work, and community support, which can help improve patients’ mental health and treatment adherence.