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Peritoneal Dialysis

General Hospital of Ioannina "G. Hatzikosta"

Dr. Olga Balafa is a nephrologist with extensive expertise in Peritoneal Dialysis (PD), combining over 15 years of clinical practice, research, and training in Greece and abroad (including a research fellowship at the Academic Medical Center, Amsterdam). She currently leads the Peritoneal Dialysis Unit at the General Hospital of Ioannina, which provides comprehensive care for patients with end-stage kidney disease.
Her research and clinical interests include peritoneal dialysis management, cardiovascular disease in CKD, patient outcomes, and dialysis-related complications. She has authored numerous peer-reviewed publications and has been an invited speaker at international nephrology congresses.

Main Areas of Interest

Peritoneal Dialysis (PD):
Expertise in patient selection, catheter insertion, individualized prescription, and long-term management, with extensive clinical and research experience.
Dialysis-Related Complications:
Prevention and treatment of peritonitis, exit-site infections, ultrafiltration failure, and preservation of peritoneal membrane function.
Cardiovascular Disease in CKD:
Special focus on hypertension, volume status, and cardiovascular risk in patients with chronic kidney disease and dialysis.
Patient Education & Training in PD:
Development of structured training programs for patients and caregivers to improve outcomes and enhance home-based dialysis care.
Clinical Research in Nephrology:
Contributions to international multicenter studies, publications on dialysis adequacy, cardiovascular risk, and novel therapeutic strategies in CKD.

Specialties

Nephrology

Techniques You Will Learn

Techniques and Skills Fellows Can Learn

Patient selection and assessment for PD
Peritoneal catheter insertion and postoperative care
PD prescription and adjustment of dialysis parameters
Patient and caregiver education/training for home-based PD
Monitoring techniques for dialysis adequacy and fluid balance
Management of acute and chronic complications (peritonitis, ultrafiltration failure, exit-site care)
Use of biocompatible solutions and novel monitoring tools
Multidisciplinary follow-up and long-term outcome evaluation

Curriculum

Week 1: Foundations of Peritoneal Dialysis

Orientation to the PD unit and patient flow
Selection criteria and pre-PD assessment
Techniques of catheter insertion (observation & assisting)
Basics of PD prescriptions and exchanges

Week 2: Training and Monitoring

Patient/caregiver education protocols
Daily clinical monitoring and follow-up visits
Methods for assessing dialysis adequacy and volume status
Introduction to biocompatible dialysis solutions

Week 3: Complications and Management

Diagnosis and treatment of peritonitis and exit-site infections
Troubleshooting ultrafiltration failure
Case-based discussions of challenging patients
Strategies for long-term preservation of peritoneal membrane function

Week 4: Advanced Topics and Research Insights

PD and cardiovascular risk in CKD patients
Integration of PD into multidisciplinary nephrology care
Review of recent research and international guidelines
Final case presentations and feedback session with Dr. Balafa

Note: The PD unit follows up with 35-40 patients monthly.

Approximately 1-2 new patients per month.

Accommodation

Try airbnb.com

Fees and Program Logistics

This program has the following durations available:

Duration	Fee
2 weeks	$1,063.00
4 weeks	$1,594.00
8 weeks	$2,750.00

This program allows Merit Applications. This program allows merit-based applications for virtual and onsite clinical and research programs. If you are successfully awarded under this category, Trialect or the host mentor will cover the tuition fee only. All applications will be evaluated based on merit. Due to the high level of competition, the chances of being selected under the merit category are quite limited.

Who Can Apply

Nephrologists

Nephrology trainees

Nephrology nurses

Host Details

Host Name: Dr. Olga Balafa

Affiliation: General Hospital of Ioannina "G. Hatzikosta"

Address: Str. Makrigianni 60 Avenue, Ioannina 454 45, Greece

Website URL: https://www.gni-hatzikosta.gr/

Disclaimer:It is mandatory that all applicants carry workplace liability insurance, e.g., https://www.protrip-world-liability.com (Erasmus students use this package and typically costs around 5 € per month - please check) in addition to health insurance when you join any of the onsite Trialect partnered fellowships.

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