Concerns of hemodialysis patients
Abstract
Introduction: Hemodialysis, which is the most common treatment in individuals with end stage renal disease, includes a series of limitations and modifications in daily life that adversely affect patients' physical and psychological state. Eliciting and addressing patients’ concerns is a key aspect of patient-centered treatment. Unaddressed concerns may lead to lower satisfaction and lower quality of medical care.
Aim: To explore concerns of hemodialysis patients.
Method and material: A Descriptive study on a convenience sample of patients undergoing hemodialysis in dialysis centers in Athens. Data was collected by the completion of a questionnaire which included the patients' concerns. Categorical variables are presented by absolute and relative frequencies (percentages).
Results: In the present study were enrolled 100 patients, of whom 73% were male, 55% were>60 years old, 66% were married and 30% of primary level of education. Regarding patients' concerns, 36% of participants were bothered to spend time on dialysis center, 65% and 49% were concerned about a possible discontinue of fistula and hemodialysis machine respectively, while 59% were concerned about restrictions in social life, 39% in their role as a spouse, 71% about fluid restrictions, 55% about diet restrictions and 53% were concerned about transport "to and from" hemodialysis unit. In terms of limitations due to hemodialysis, 30% reported limitation in clothes, 69% in going for holidays and 67% in sexual life.
Conclusions: Expanding nurses knowledge about patients' concerns is essential to implement individualized effective therapeutic strategies.
Article Details
- How to Cite
-
Benetou, S., Tsirigotis, S., Dousis, E., Alikari, V., Evangelou, E., Koutelekos, I., Zartaloudi, A., & Gerogianni, G. (2020). Concerns of hemodialysis patients. Health & Research Journal, 6(2), 56–65. https://doi.org/10.12681/healthresj.23316
- Section
- Original Articles
Copyright notice:
The journal "Health and Research Journal" reserves the rights for copyright of the content of the website and also the copyright of the articles published.
By virtue of their appearance in this journal, the articles are free to be used for non-commercial purposes. However, the articles cannot and must not be used in anyway, published elsewhere or modified without any reference to the author and the first publication of the article.