Undergoing haemodialysis: A qualitative study to investigate the lived experiences of patients

Abstract

Patients undergoing haemodialysis have to cope with many adversities, regarding physical symptoms, specific dietary regimes and changes in their body image. The present qualitative study aimed to investigate the lived experiences of haemodialysis patients in Greece. Topics relating to haemodialysis treatment were raised with 10 haemodialysis patients in the form of semi-structured interviews. A descriptive phenomenological research method was used to analyse narrated lived experiences of dialysis. Unemployment, functional disturbance, non-adherence to medication and diet schedule, social isolation, fatigue, psychological distress and sexual dysfunction emerged as main concerns following a critical review of themes. Our findings provide evidence which can be useful to health professionals and managers of health services offered to end-stage renal disease patients. Tailored interventions can be developed to support depressed, anxious, or those who endorse negative health beliefs, in an effort to address issues of compromised quality of life.