Family needs of chronic hemodialysis patients: a comparison of perceptions of nurses and families.
OBJECTIVE
The objectives of this study were to (a) determine the psychosocial needs of families of ESRD patients receiving hemodialysis as perceived by nurses and family members; and (b) compare the differences of perception of needs between these two groups.


METHODS
The Norris and Grove Questionnaire (1986) was modified for the hemodialysis population to a 33 statement inventory of psychosocial needs.


METHODS
The sample consisted of 10 family members and nine registered nurses. The setting was a Midwestern Veterans Administration Medical Center hemodialysis unit.


METHODS
A telephone survey interview was used for 9 family members; one survey was returned by mail. The RNs returned completed questionnaires to the unit.


RESULTS
The findings of this study revealed 6 need statements that were statistically significantly different (p < 0.05) between the two groups. All of these need statements were perceived to be more important by the family members than the nurses.


CONCLUSIONS
In this study, family members and nurses differed in what they perceived as important family needs. Families identified at least two psychosocial needs--the need for information and the need for comfort as being very important.
Wagner
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CD
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D001294:Attitude to Health; D005190:Family / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006301:Health Services Needs and Demand; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009741:Nursing Staff, Hospital / Q000523:psychology*; D010353:Patient Education as Topic; D006435:Renal Dialysis / Q000451:nursing / Q000523:psychology*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires