Communicating with nurses: patients' views on effective support while on haemodialysis.
BACKGROUND
Haemodialysis therapy is one form of treatment for end-stage renal disease (ESRD). Patients have to adhere to a strict regimen of dialysis, dietary and fluid restrictions, and medications.


OBJECTIVE
This study explores the experiences of 16 people with ESRD undergoing hospital-based haemodialysis therapy.


METHODS
A small-scale study using a phenomenological method was carried out. A total of 16 patients were interviewed and qualitative interpretive analysis was used.


RESULTS
The theme 'communicating with nurses: reality versus myth' was created from the analysis of the interview data. Participants indicated that nurses rarely communicated with them during dialysis. The only time nurses seemed to approach participants was to manage the physical and technical aspects of care.


CONCLUSIONS
This study will hopefully increase nurses' awareness of the importance of effective communication in providing supportive care to patients with renal disease.
Moran
Aoife
A
School of Nursing, Dublin City University.
Scott
P Anne
PA
Darbyshire
Philip
P
D006801:Humans; D007676:Kidney Failure, Chronic / Q000451:nursing / Q000628:therapy*; D008019:Life Style; D009723:Nurse-Patient Relations; D006435:Renal Dialysis / Q000523:psychology*