Mapping the UK renal psychosocial workforce: the first comprehensive workforce survey

Area of Science:

• Nephrology
• Psychology
• Health Services Research

Background:

• Growing recognition of psychosocial issues in chronic kidney disease (CKD) patients necessitates integrating emotional well-being into comprehensive care.
• The impact of increased attention to psychosocial needs in guidelines on staffing levels and composition remains unclear since the 2002 workforce mapping.
• This paper critically analyzes findings, discusses implications, and offers an international perspective on gaps in current knowledge.

Purpose of the Study:

• To map and analyze the current psychosocial workforce in UK renal units.
• To compare current staffing levels and composition with data from 2002.
• To identify gaps in service provision and inform future workforce planning.

Main Methods:

• Data collected via surveys based on the Scottish Renal Association's (SRA) staffing survey (2016) for units in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland.
• Additional data from a psychosocial staffing survey distributed via professional groups.
• Supplemented with Freedom of Information (FOI) requests for all 84 UK renal units.

Main Results:

• Significant variability in service provision models and exceeding of staffing benchmarks observed.
• A shift in staffing patterns over 15 years, with an increase in adult psychology services but a decrease in adult social work and pediatric services.
• Despite increased patient numbers, adult psychology provision remains low.

Conclusions:

• Identified a lack of provision in renal psychosocial services and the absence of a general service provision model.
• Findings provide a benchmark for units to review and monitor services against patient needs.
• The study forms a foundation for future research and workforce planning, emphasizing the need to investigate best practice models and patient needs.