Facilitating dietary change in renal disease: investigating patients' perspectives.
BACKGROUND
Renal diets are arguably the most restrictive for any patient group, and many of the restrictions contradict current recommendations for healthy eating. OBJECTIVES. This study aims to explore the knowledge and beliefs of chronic kidney disease (CKD) patients about the role of diet in their disease presentation and management.


METHODS
Focus groups (FG) with nephrology and dialysis patients informed the development of a questionnaire. Patient experiences and knowledge of diet-disease links and their education needs were explored.


RESULTS
Renal diets were not always perceived as compatible with other dietary advice, and often difficult to integrate with family and social occasions. Eighty percent respondents said they would like to receive dietary advice as soon as they know they have renal damage. Renal dietitians were identified as the most reliable and trustworthy source of dietary information, followed by renal specialist doctors.


CONCLUSIONS
Early dietetic intervention would be welcomed by patients, with group work and 'expert patient' assistance offering one means of delivering this service in a patient-centred way.
Hollingdale
Rachel
R
Faculty Nutrition and Medical Sciences, Surrey University, UK. rachel@bhfood.org.uk
Sutton
Debbie
D
Hart
Kathryn
K
D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000368:Aged; D017281:Cost of Illness; D018753:Diet, Protein-Restricted / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods / Q000523:psychology*; D004046:Dietetics / Q000193:education; D004644:Emotions; D005247:Feeding Behavior / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D017144:Focus Groups; D005639:Frustration; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D007676:Kidney Failure, Chronic / Q000178:diet therapy / Q000523:psychology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D020380:Needs Assessment / Q000458:organization & administration*; D015404:Nursing Methodology Research; D018673:Nutrition Policy; D009751:Nutritional Requirements; D009752:Nutritional Status; D010349:Patient Compliance / Q000523:psychology*; D010353:Patient Education as Topic / Q000458:organization & administration*; D036301:Qualitative Research; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires