Renal Replacement Therapy: Available Information Versus Patients Demands

Abstract

Objective: This study examined the current state of information of renal replacement therapy and educational demands of kidney transplant recipients. Methods: The study was conducted through a survey. The questionnaire of this study was developed by researchers and was completed by 72 kidney recipients who were followed up by the Yonsei University Health System. Results: The recipients were most frequently informed of hemodialysis (87.5%), followed by kidney transplantation (69.4%), peritoneal dialysis (48.6%), as a modality of renal replacement therapy at the time of diagnosis of chronic renal failure. Information of kidney transplantation was given when they were diagnosed with end stage renal disease (ESRD; 33.3%) right after when they started dialysis (15.3%) and a few years after they started dialysis (9.7%). They were informed on kidney transplant mostly by transplant surgeons (3.13; range 1˜4), followed in order by transplant coordinator, nephrologist, family member, other patients, artificial kidney unit nurses, and mass media or internet. Regarding the influence of the given information on their decision to receive transplant, the mean score was 3.23 (range: 1˜5). Also, kidney transplant was evaluated as the best renal replacement therapy for work, pregnancy/delivery, traveling, and diet. Conclusion: The patients who were diagnosed with ESRD have not been fully informed of transplant as primary therapy. Therefore, ESRD patients should be informed more about kidney transplantation so that they can choose an optimal renal replacement therapy for their quality of life.