Non-medical facilitators and barriers towards accessing haemodialysis services: an exploration of ethical challenges

Godwin Pancras,Amani Anaeli,Judith Shayo

doi:10.1186/s12882-018-1140-x

Godwin Pancras, Amani Anaeli + Show 1 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.1186/s12882-018-1140-x

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Abstract

BackgroundLike most of the sub-Saharan countries, Tanzania faces significant increase in the number of patients diagnosed with an end-stage renal disease (ESRD) among which only a few manage to receive chronic haemodialysis services (CHD). Yet little is known about the non-medical facilitators and barriers towards accessing these services and the associated ethical challenges.MethodsA phenomenological study design which employed a qualitative approach was used. The study was conducted at the dialysis unit harboured within Muhimbili National Hospital. Data were collected from purposively sampled health care providers and ESRD patients by using in-depth interviews. Text data obtained were analysed based on inductive and deductive content analysis methods to formulate major themes.ResultsFourteen key informants were interviewed including nephrologists, renal nurses, social workers, nutritionists and ESRD patients. Three major themes were formulated: a) non-medical facilitators towards accessing CHD services which enshrines two sub-themes (membership to health insurance scheme and family support), (b) non-medical barriers towards accessing CHD services which enshrines four sub-themes (affordability of treatment costs, geographical accessibility, availability of CHD resources and acceptability of treatment procedures) and lastly (c) ethical challenges associated with accessing CHD services which also enshrines three sub-themes (dual role of health care providers, patients autonomy in decision making, and treatment disparity).ConclusionNon-medical facilitators to access CHD benefits few patients whereas non-medical barriers leave many ESRD patients untreated or partially treated. On the other hand, ethical challenges like treatment inequality are quickly gaining momentum. There is a need for guideline highlighting importance, position, and limitation of non-medical factors in the delivery of CHD services in Tanzania and other developing countries.

Highlights

Like most of the sub-Saharan countries, Tanzania faces significant increase in the number of patients diagnosed with an end-stage renal disease (ESRD) among which only a few manage to receive chronic haemodialysis services (CHD)
Due to the differences and similarities, sub-themes were further reduced into 3 main themes namely: non-medical barriers towards accessing CHD services, non-medical facilitators towards accessing CHD services and ethical challenges associated with accessing CHD services
Presentation of findings Three major themes emerged: (a)non-medical facilitators towards accessing CHD services, which enshrines two sub-themes [membership to a health insurance scheme and family support]; (b) non-medical barriers towards accessing CHD services, which enshrines four sub-themes [affordability of treatment costs, geographical accessibility, availability of CHD resources and acceptability of treatment procedures]; (c) ethical challenges associated with accessing CHD services, which enshrines three sub-themes [dual role of health care providers, patient autonomy in decision making, and treatment disparity]

Summary

Introduction

Like most of the sub-Saharan countries, Tanzania faces significant increase in the number of patients diagnosed with an end-stage renal disease (ESRD) among which only a few manage to receive chronic haemodialysis services (CHD). Among the three types or modalities of renal replacement therapy: haemodialysis, peritoneal dialysis and kidney transplantation; haemodialysis (HD) is the most. Patients receiving chronic haemodialysis (CHD) treatment are dialyzed three times per week with each dialysis session lasting up to four hours [7] during which excess body fluid and toxic components such as urea are removed out of the body [6]. Most of the developing countries including Tanzania view CHD as a cheaper alternative compared to other types of renal replacement therapy but majority of ESRD patients remain untreated [10]

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Conclusion