The self-management experience of people with mild to moderate chronic kidney disease.
This qualitative, exploratory study examined the self-management experiences of people with mild to moderate chronic kidney disease (CKD, Stages 1-3) to elicit participants' perceptions of health, kidney disease, and supports needed for self-management. Findings revealed a process of renegotiating life with chronic kidney disease, which encompassed Discovering Kidney Disease and Learning To Live With Kidney Disease. A number of themes were identified including searching for evidence, realizing kidney disease is forever, managing the illness, taking care of the self and the need for disease-specific information. The findings indicate participants with early CKD want to self-manage their illness in collaboration with health care providers. As well, people with early CKD need guidance and support from health professionals to successfully self-manage. Nephrology nurses are uniquely positioned to provide this support while collaborating with other care providers to facilitate self-management.
Costantini
Lucia
L
Ryerson University, Toronto, ON, Canada.
Beanlands
Heather
H
McCay
Elizabeth
E
Cattran
Daniel
D
Hladunewich
Michelle
M
Francis
Daphene
D
D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001294:Attitude to Health; D001706:Biopsy; D004522:Educational Status; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007676:Kidney Failure, Chronic / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000523:psychology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D008960:Models, Psychological; D020380:Needs Assessment; D024802:Nurse's Role / Q000523:psychology; D015404:Nursing Methodology Research; D009864:Ontario; D010353:Patient Education as Topic / Q000379:methods*; D036301:Qualitative Research; D012648:Self Care / Q000379:methods / Q000523:psychology; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D012944:Social Support; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires