Rehabilitation services for patients undergoing peritoneal dialysis in Hong Kong.
OBJECTIVE
To examine whether rehabilitation services are provided to patients undergoing peritoneal dialysis in Hong Kong, and the impact of such services on patients' lives.


METHODS
Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 30 participants. Transcripts were analysed using thematic content analysis. Categories and codes were identified from the first 21 interviews, but questioning continued throughout the process to saturate the categories.


RESULTS
Rehabilitation is not provided to patients undergoing peritoneal dialysis in Hong Kong. Most support services are initiated by patients themselves.


CONCLUSIONS
To enable these patients to lead productive lives, efforts should be made to provide them with the required medical information to help them make choices. Nurses should provide appropriate training to peer counsellors and regular exercise should be encouraged to allow patients to maintain physical health and mobility. Support for retraining and employment is also important. Counselling on finding a purpose through other roles is beneficial for those who cannot return to work.
Luk
W S C
WS
School of Nursing, Hong Kong Polytechnic University. hswluk@inet.polyu.edu.hk
D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D003469:Culture; D005260:Female; D006723:Hong Kong; D006801:Humans; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010353:Patient Education as Topic; D010530:Peritoneal Dialysis; D012046:Rehabilitation / Q000639:trends*; D012657:Self-Help Groups