Nutrition Telemonitoring for CKD-HD Patients: A Qualitative Study on Patients, Patients’ Families, Medical Teams, and Hospital Management

Abstract

BACKGROUND: CKD-HD patients require a nutritional monitoring system to control the amount of protein, fluid, sodium, potassium, and phosphate intake to reduce readmission rates and to improve their life quality. The Nutrition Telemonitoring Application (NTA) has a potential to resolve this problem. AIM: Therefore, this study aims to prepare NTA design materials conditioned to the needs of patients, families, medical teams, and hospital management. METHODS: A qualitative study with semi-structured interviews was conducted on 16 informants consisting of patients, families, medical teams, and hospital management teams. Furthermore, a purposive sampling technique was used to recruit participants, and the thematic analysis of the audio recording was conducted. RESULTS: Three main themes and seven sub-themes were identified. First, all participants in support of NTA will be beneficial. Second, NTA implementation requires family, medical team, hospital management, and BPJS (Health Social Security Agency). Third, all participants demand an easy Indonesian language interface equipped with pictures of food portions, additional alarm features, exercise, food recipes, educational videos, and free of charge. CONCLUSIONS: This study provides important insights considering the issues associated with the sustainability of NTA design and long-term benefits for CKD-HD patients.