Patient to Patient Mentoring Program

It’s very important that Mentors have a basic understanding of dialysis, the expectations of the Mentor role, and who to refer someone to if they have issues that a professional is best suited to handle. Modules are broken down into smaller pieces to cover all these areas. They are also separated to make learning easier. There are six modules, but you only have to complete four to be fully certified. The first three set the foundation to ensure you have a basic understanding of dialysis, understand the role of being a peer mentor, and know who to refer a peer to if they have issues or questions that a professional should help them with. The last three modules focus on speaking with patients who are new to dialysis, patients who are interested in home options, and patients who are interested in transplantation. You can choose from the last three modules and do one, two or all three if you want!

Every pairing will be unique. Some folks just want to hear from others about a specific topic and only need to meet the one time to get a couple questions answered. Some need a buddy to help them not feel alone and may want to meet once a week for a half hour a few times. It’s up to you and your peer to decide how often and how long to meet.

Every pairing will be unique. Some may only take a couple minutes to answer specific questions. Others may be a half hour of chatting to get to know each other and talk about the journey. It depends on what your peer is looking for and the time you both agree to set for it. 

It is not recommended to take on more than two peers at a time to mentor. It is perfectly okay to only have one at a time. It is unlikely that you will consistently have a meeting each week. Expect breaks!

No. Sometimes mentors prefer to stay available only to their facility. That is okay! Others may be willing to be available to peers at any facility. The Network will contact these mentors to pair with peers who may not have a mentor at their facility. Because mentoring does not have to be in-person, people can get together by phone, email or video chat. No travel is required! Pairings with people at your facility will most likely be coordinated by your dialysis center. 

Sometimes this happens! Just let your social worker or the Network know and we will pair the peer with someone else. No worries!

When you are fully certified as a Peer Mentor, your facility and/or the Network will help to identify a peer to match you with. Once confidentiality forms are signed, you will be provided with the peer’s contact information. You can then reach out to your peer and decide on the best time and way to meetup. 

Let your social worker or the Network know. Confidentiality forms should be completed first.