Patients’ Perspectives on Health-Related Social Needs and Recommendations for Interventions: A Qualitative Study

Abstract

Rationale & Objective: People with low socioeconomic status are disproportionately affected by kidney failure, and their adverse outcomes may stem from unmet health-related social needs. This study explored hemodialysis patient perspectives on health-related social needs and recommendations for intervention. Study Design: Qualitative study using semistructured interviews. Settings & Participants: Thirty-two people with low socioeconomic status receiving hemodialysis at 3 hemodialysis facilities in Austin, Texas. Analytical Approach: Interviews were analyzed for themes and subthemes using the constant comparative method. Results: Seven themes and 21 subthemes (in parentheses) were identified: (1) kidney failure was unexpected (never thought it would happen to me; do not understand dialysis); (2) providers fail patients (doctors did not act; doctors do not care); (3) dialysis is detrimental (life is not the same; dialysis is all you do; dialysis causes emotional distress; dialysis makes you feel sick); (4) powerlessness (dependent on others; cannot do anything about my situation); (5) financial resource strain (dialysis makes you poor and keeps you poor; disability checks are not enough; food programs exist but are inconsistent; eat whatever food is available; not enough affordable housing; unstable housing affects health and well-being); (6) motivation to keep going (faith, support system, will to live); and (7) interventions should promote self-efficacy (navigation of community resources, support groups). Limitations: Limited quantitative data such as on dialysis vintage, and limited geographic representation. Conclusions: Dialysis exacerbates financial resource strain, and health-related social needs exacerbate dialysis-related stress. The participants made recommendations to address social needs with an emphasis on increasing support and community resources for this population. Plain-Language Summary: People receiving dialysis often experience health-related social needs, such as food and housing needs, but little is known about how these impact patients’ health and well-being or how to best address them. We interviewed people receiving dialysis about how health-related social needs affect them and what they think dialysis facilities can do to help them address those needs. The participants reported that they often lose their independence after starting dialysis and health-related social needs are common, exacerbate their stress and emotional distress, and reduce their sense of well-being. Dialysis facilities may be able to enhance the experience of these patients by facilitating connections with local resources and providing opportunities for patients to support one another.