Patient, family, and staff responses to end-stage renal disease.
The course of a chronic illness is composed of discrete developmental phases, which influence the relationship of the patient to the care-giving system, and the tasks required of patients, families, and medical staff. Family characteristics may influence medical outcome. Compliance may be a critical factor in mediating the biological response to social phenomena. The relationship of the patient to his or her family and the health-care system may change dramatically through the developmental phases of the chronic disease. The case of a patient with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) illustrating these concepts is presented.
Reiss
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Department of Psychiatry, George Washington University Medical Center, Washington, DC 20037.
D001601:Bereavement; D005190:Family; D006801:Humans; D007676:Kidney Failure, Chronic / Q000191:economics / Q000523:psychology* / Q000628:therapy; D008297:Male; D008505:Medical Staff, Hospital; D008875:Middle Aged; D010347:Patient Care Planning; D010349:Patient Compliance; D006435:Renal Dialysis; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000209:etiology