Life on hemodialysis : a qualitative study to examine the perspectives of patients and caregivers on challenges and needs

• Main Author: Nair, Smeetha
• Other Authors: Konstadina Griva
• Format: Final Year Project
• Language: English
• Published: Nanyang Technological University 2020
• Subjects: Science::Biological sciences
• Online Access: https://hdl.handle.net/10356/138625
• Institution: Nanyang Technological University

Initiation onto Hemodialysis (HD) requires major life adjustment for patients and families alike. Besides HD procedures, the radical lifestyle changes regarding fluid intake, diet, exercise and symptom management, and the need to renegotiate roles and expectations can engender distress and poor adjustment. Existing studies have also presented limited understanding on incident HD patients in Singapore. Self-management interventions offer a tool to support adjustment and improve behavioural and clinical outcomes in HD. This study will examine the perspectives of incident patients and caregivers on HD, to guide the development of an intervention to support adjustment. A qualitative interview study of 26 participants was conducted, which included incident HD patients (n=17) and caregivers (n=9). Interviews transcribed verbatim and analysed using thematic analysis framework. Five main themes emerged: (1) Sense of loss, (2) Emotional burden, (3) Impact on the family, (4) Burden of dialysis, (5) Poor dietary restraint. The findings generated through this study will support an intervention programme which can help patients to manage their diet and transition better into the dialysis lifestyle with new goals. By creating a platform to engage patients and caregivers, misconceptions and concerns can be addressed, to improve the families’ quality of life (QoL).