The lived experiences of patients undergoing hemodialysis with the concept of care: a phenomenological study

Nahid Shahgholian,Hojatollah Yousefi

doi:10.1186/s12882-018-1138-4

Abstract

BackgroundProviding patient-centered care needs in patients with chronic renal failure undergoing hemodialysis is important in inspiring their confidence to continue their treatment and promote their mental and social health. Therefore, recognizing the concept of care from the viewpoint of these patients can be helpful in designing the care programs of this vulnerable group. Accordingly, the aim of this study was to reveal the meaning and concept of care based on the experience of patients with chronic renal failure undergoing hemodialysis.MethodsUsing a descriptive phenomenological method, this study was conducted on 17 patients who were undergoing hemodialysis. Purposive sampling was performed and data was collected through 30 to 60 min, face-to-face and in-depth semi-structured interviews. Data analysis was performed using Colaizzi’s method.ResultsSeventeen patients (9 women 8 men) aged between 24 and 83, and a minimum of 10 and maximum of 168 months history of hemodialysis participated in the study. After data analysis, 4 themes and 9 sub-themes were extracted, and the concept of care emerged for the participants as empathy, companionship in everyday needs, social support and concern, and good-quality dialysis.ConclusionsBased on the results of this study, the concept of care from the viewpoint of patients emerged in the form of empathy, companionship in everyday needs, social support and concern, and good-quality dialysis. It is recommended that caregivers of patients consider these concepts in the design of patient-centered care programs.

Highlights

Providing patient-centered care needs in patients with chronic renal failure undergoing hemodialysis is important in inspiring their confidence to continue their treatment and promote their mental and social health
Given its purpose of revealing the meaning and concept of care based on the experience of the patients with end-stage renal disease undergoing hemodialysis, this study was a qualitative research with descriptive phenomenological method
Inclusion criteria: at least three month have elapsed from the start of hemodialysis, no speech and hearing problems, speak fluent Persian, undergo hemodialysis in the hemodialysis unit of Al-Zahra hospital affiliated to Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran, and have a fixed and active medical file in this unit

Summary

Introduction

Providing patient-centered care needs in patients with chronic renal failure undergoing hemodialysis is important in inspiring their confidence to continue their treatment and promote their mental and social health. The aim of this study was to reveal the meaning and concept of care based on the experience of patients with chronic renal failure undergoing hemodialysis. Hemodialysis increases patients’ longevity but, at the same time, imposes many restrictions on these patients and leads to many physical, mental, social and economic complications Minimizing these complications need a comprehensive care for these patients. The word “care” has many meanings in Persian, such as the provision of what is necessary for the health, welfare, maintenance, protection, attention, guard,, lookout on, and watch of someone It seems that the point of view of the patients towards this concept is different from the caregivers.

Objectives

Methods

Results

Discussion

Conclusion