Citation

Yodchai K, Dunning T, Hutchinson AM, Oumtanee A, Savage S. J. Ren. Care 2011; 37(4): 216-223.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2011, European Dialysis and Transplant Nurses Association/European Renal Care Association, Publisher John Wiley and Sons)

DOI

10.1111/j.1755-6686.2011.00232.x

PMID

21917121

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Researchers have explored the experiences of patients on haemodialysis (HD); however, most studies do not include Thai patients. Thus, the way Thai patients experience and adapt to HD is unknown.
AIM: To conduct a pilot study to explore how HD affects Thai patients with end stage renal disease (ESRD) and understand HD patients' perspectives about adapting to being dependant on HD.
METHODS: Data were collected using semi-structured interviews that focused on problems, feelings, thoughts, attitudes and ways of adapting to HD. Grounded theory (GT) method was selected to guide data collection and analysis.
FINDINGS: Five patients (age range 24-66 years; mean 45.40 years; mode = 24) participated in the study. Four main coping processes emerged during data analysis: planning, adjustment and avoidance, belief in religion and superstition and living with hope. In addition, the patients reported a range of adverse effects of HD including fluid restriction, fatigue, effects on sexual activity, altered body image, fear of dying, stress and depression and suicide.
CONCLUSION: Thai patients with ESRD felt treatment, including HD, adversely affected their lives and required physical, psychological and social changes to enable them to cope. They reported use of a range of strategies to deal with the adverse effects.

Language: en

Keywords

Humans; Adult; Aged; Female; Male; Middle Aged; Self Concept; Religion and Psychology; Thailand; Pilot Projects; Marriage; Adaptation, Psychological; Body Image; Renal Dialysis; Cross-Cultural Comparison; Activities of Daily Living; Self Care; Asian People; Life Style; Kidney Failure, Chronic; Superstitions; Kidney Transplantation; Thirst