Occupational repercussions in people with end-stage chronic kidney disease who attend hemodialysis: an occupational justice framework

Abstract

Objective: To know the occupational repercussions caused by hemodialysis treatment in people suffering from Terminal Chronic Kidney Disease and how public policies in Chile, specifically, Explicit Health Guarantees address the needs of this population. Method: Environmental observation guidelines, field notes, and semi-structured interviews with users and professionals who work in the Hemodialysis Unit of the Hospital Base de Valdivia, Chile were used. In addition, a documentary analysis was carried out that included clinical guidelines and technical standards of the Hemodialysis Unit. Results: The data were organized into 5 topics: Hospital Base Valdivia hemodialysis unit, Process of change and adaptation, Routines and habits, Roles and Sufficiency of public policies. Breaks in occupational histories, difficulties in the adaptation process and the need for a comprehensive approach that is not considered by public policies are evidenced. Conclusion: The need for a multidisciplinary treatment is proposed that considers an accompaniment in the process of occupational adaptation, especially in the early stages after diagnosis in order to prevent the impact on the quality of life of this population, as well as the need to develop more studies on the subject.