Individuals' experiences with end stage renal disease and hemodialysis treatment : implications for quality of life

• Main Author: O'Brien-Connors, Marguerite A.
• Format: Thesis
• Language: English
• Published: Memorial University of Newfoundland 2003
• Subjects: Newfoundland
• Online Access: https://research.library.mun.ca/6989/; https://research.library.mun.ca/6989/1/OBrien-Connors_MargueriteA.pdf; https://research.library.mun.ca/6989/3/OBrien-Connors_MargueriteA.pdf

A descriptive correlational design was used to investigate how individuals living with end stage renal disease (ESRD) and hemodialysis perceive illness and treatment experiences, social supports, adjustment to a new normal, and quality of life. The interrelationships among the key study variables (illness and treatment experiences, social supports, adjustment to a new normal, personal characteristics, overall quality of life) were also examined. The Living with End Stage Renal Disease and Hemodialysis (LESRD-H) model was used as the framework for this study. -- The convenience sample consisted of 112 individuals who were receiving hemodialysis at four centers located in the province of Newfoundland and Labrador. A response rate of 87.5% was achieved. The majority of participants were male (55.4%), living with a spouse (66.1%), and fifty years of age and over (65.2%). The mean age of the sample was 57.9 (SD ± 16.7). Most participants had been receiving hemodialysis for less than three years (79.5%), with a mean time of 21.95 months (SD ± 18.9). As well, most participants had one or more comorbid illnesses (85.7%), and experienced low to moderate illness severity (58%). Data were collected via face-to-face interviews between July, 1998 and February, 1999. -- Study findings indicated that most participants were generally positive about illness and treatment experiences, social supports, and adjustment to a new normal. Participants were most positive about social supports, followed by adjustment to a new normal and illness and treatment experiences, respectively. As well, most participants were quite satisfied with their overall quality of life and each life domain. Specifically, participants were most satisfied with the family, psychological/spiritual, social and economic, and health and functioning domains, respectively. -- Most of the illness and treatment experiences (i.e., physiological stressors, knowledge about the illness and treatment, performance of activities of daily living (ADL), and self-health ...