Understanding the Challenge of School Absenteeism in Children with CKD
Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) in children is a significant health concern that often leads to increased school absenteeism. According to a recent study by Craven et al. (2022), children with CKD are at a heightened risk of missing school, which can exacerbate their academic and health challenges. This blog explores the factors contributing to school absenteeism in children with CKD and provides actionable insights for practitioners to help mitigate these challenges.
Key Findings from the Research
The study identified that 21% of children with CKD missed 18 or more school days annually, categorizing them as chronically absent. The primary reasons for absenteeism included medical appointments, feeling unwell, and bullying. Interestingly, specific CKD-related symptoms like edema or hypertension were not frequently reported as reasons for missing school.
Implementing Research Insights for Better Outcomes
Practitioners can play a crucial role in reducing absenteeism by implementing the following strategies:
- Flexible Appointment Scheduling: The study suggests that offering evening or weekend appointments, as well as virtual consultations, can significantly reduce the need for children to miss school for medical visits.
- Enhanced School Support: Encourage the use of Individualized Education Plans (IEPs) and 504 plans to provide necessary accommodations for children with CKD, which can help them manage their health needs while attending school.
- Addressing Bullying: Since bullying was reported as a factor for absenteeism, practitioners should work with schools to create a supportive environment and implement anti-bullying programs.
Encouraging Further Research
The study highlights the need for further research to explore the impact of CKD on school attendance and to develop targeted interventions. Practitioners are encouraged to collaborate with researchers to gather more data and refine strategies that support children with CKD in their educational journey.
Conclusion
By understanding the factors contributing to school absenteeism and implementing data-driven strategies, practitioners can help children with CKD achieve better academic and health outcomes. For a deeper dive into the research, you can access the original paper by following this link: Patient- and caregiver-reported factors associated with school absenteeism in children with chronic kidney disease.
