Kidney disease affects more than lab results. A patient’s daily life, access to care, understanding of their health, support system, and other personal circumstances can all influence how a treatment plan works in the real world.
That broader perspective is central to how Laura Oglesby, MSN, AGACNP-BC, approaches her role as a nurse practitioner with Balboa Nephrology.
Laura supports patients in Chula Vista and National City and works closely with our nephrologists to provide thoughtful, individualized kidney care.
“I treat patients from a whole-person perspective. I consider where they are in their disease process, their access to care, health literacy, support system, psychosocial factors, and their involvement in their care when making decisions about their treatment plan.”
Looking at the Whole Person
Two people with similar kidney conditions may face very different challenges.
One patient may have strong family support and reliable transportation. Another may be managing several health conditions, difficulty getting to appointments, limited understanding of medical information, financial concerns, or responsibilities at home.
Laura takes those factors into account when caring for patients.
Understanding what may be affecting someone outside the exam room can help the care team identify barriers, have more meaningful conversations, and make treatment decisions that reflect the patient’s individual circumstances.
Supporting Patients as Partners in Their Care
Laura also considers how involved and comfortable patients feel participating in their healthcare.
That may include helping someone better understand their condition, explaining why a treatment recommendation is being made, discussing medications or lab results, or creating space for patients to ask questions and share concerns.
As part of the Balboa Nephrology kidney care team, Laura works alongside nephrologists and other healthcare professionals to support care that considers both the medical condition and the person living with it.
Your nephrologist. Your NP. One connected care team.
Meet Your Kidney Care Team
Meet Your Kidney Care Team is an ongoing Balboa Nephrology series introducing the nurse practitioners and physician assistants who work alongside our nephrologists throughout the communities we serve.
By sharing their perspectives, we hope patients can get to know more of the people involved in their care and better understand how each member of the team supports their kidney health.
