Awardees

Supervisors: Dr. Sarbjit Vanita Jassal and Dr. Helene J. Polatajko
Award: KRESCENT Allied Health Doctoral Scholarship
Institution: University of Toronto
Year: 2014-2015

Ms. Janine Farragher will complete her fellowship under the supervision of Dr. Sarbjit Vanita Jassal and Dr. Helene J. Polatajko at the University of Toronto, where she previously obtained a master’s in occupational therapy and is currently pursuing a Ph.D. in rehabilitation science.

More than 23,000 Canadians are currently living with end-stage kidney failure and rely on regular dialysis treatment. One of the most troubling symptoms experienced by people with kidney failure is fatigue, which often interferes with their ability to perform daily activities such as working, taking care of themselves, and being active. People with fatigue due to other diseases such as multiple sclerosis have been found to benefit from a structured educational program delivered by rehabilitation specialists on how to use energy more effectively throughout the day. This approach, called “energy conservation”, has the potential to help people on dialysis accomplish more and feel less tired. The objective of Ms. Farragher’s research is to develop and test an energy conservation education program designed for people with kidney failure on dialysis. Research findings will contribute to determining whether this novel approach may be an effective treatment for dialysis patients, help them better manage their fatigue, and improve their overall quality of life.