NERS NEWS — Students of the Nursing Professional Education Program, Faculty of Nursing, Universitas Airlangga, Class of 49, Group 2, conducted a Hospital Health Promotion (PKRS) activity entitled “Recognizing the Signs & Symptoms of Hidden Depression in Patients at the Hemodialysis Unit of Universitas Airlangga Hospital” for patients and their families or caregivers on Friday, September 18, 2026, in the Hemodialysis Unit of Universitas Airlangga Hospital. The activity was conducted through health education to improve participants’ understanding of the signs and symptoms of depression that may occur in a hidden or less apparent manner during hemodialysis and to encourage early detection and appropriate help-seeking.
The activity began with an opening, introductions, a time agreement, an aperception session, and an explanation of the objectives of the health education. The materials were then delivered through lectures and question-and-answer sessions using PowerPoint presentations and leaflets. The materials covered depression in hemodialysis patients, hidden depression, factors that may increase the risk of depression, signs and symptoms of depression, the impact of depression, actions that can be taken when experiencing symptoms, the role of families in providing support, and conditions that require assistance from healthcare professionals. Participants were also provided with a brief screening questionnaire to help identify the possibility of depressive symptoms, with an explanation that the screening results do not constitute a diagnosis of depression but may serve as a basis for determining the need for further assessment by healthcare professionals.
The activity involved patients and their families or caregivers who were present in the Hemodialysis Unit of Universitas Airlangga Hospital. It was conducted on Friday, September 18, 2026, at 9:00 a.m. WIB in the Hemodialysis Room on the 6th Floor of Universitas Airlangga Hospital. The activity was coordinated by students of the Nursing Professional Education Program, Faculty of Nursing, Universitas Airlangga, Class of 49, Group 2, with responsibilities divided among the moderator, presenter, facilitators and documentation team, note-taker, observer, logistics team, and attendance coordinator.
This activity was motivated by the condition of hemodialysis patients, who undergo long-term, routine therapy and face various physical, psychological, and social changes that may increase the risk of psychological problems, including depression. Depression in hemodialysis patients is not always manifested through obvious sadness but may appear through changes in interest, sleep patterns, appetite, energy, concentration, emotions, and social interactions. Therefore, the education was provided to improve patients’ and families’ ability to recognize these changes early, provide appropriate support, and understand when to seek assistance from healthcare professionals.
This educational activity also supported Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 3: Good Health and Well-being through improving health literacy, promoting attention to psychological health, and strengthening early detection of health problems among patients undergoing hemodialysis therapy. Increasing patients’ and families’ understanding of the signs and symptoms of depression is expected to support the appropriate utilization of healthcare services and help improve patients’ quality of life.
Through this PKRS activity, participants gained information about the importance of recognizing signs and symptoms of depression that may appear in hidden or less apparent forms among hemodialysis patients. The education was expected not only to improve participants’ knowledge but also to encourage patients and families to communicate more openly with healthcare professionals about changes in psychological conditions. In the future, similar health education activities are expected to be conducted continuously as part of efforts to increase attention to the psychological well-being of patients undergoing hemodialysis.
Writer: Riyantania Anugrahanti
