A qualitative study of patient's perceptions of a preventive renal programme in Colombia 2008.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of this study was to describe how users perceive the preventive renal programme in Colombia and cope with their chronic kidney disease (CKD) from its early stages of development.


METHODS
Some techniques from the grounded theory approach were used. The sampling strategy was selective.


RESULTS
For medical knowledge, CKD is an irreversible condition that, during its earlier stages does not represent an obstacle for living an apparently normal life, which may lead patients to get late diagnosis and identify their condition as a 'dormant disease'. Therefore, patients have learned to 'live with their disease' by developing various coping strategies. In the case of predialysis patients, these strategies include 'fear of dialysis and transplant', 'living a normal life' and 'considering CKD a deadly disease'. On the other hand, for dialysis patients, strategies include 'resignation', 'seeing dialysis as a lifesaver' and a 'feeling of loss'.


CONCLUSIONS
Patients recognizing their participation in the Renal Protection Programme may lead them to live longer and improve their quality of life. Also, due to the asymptomatic nature of CKD, late diagnoses are not uncommon, hence opportunities for prevention are usually scarce, which in turn becomes a challenge for public health.
Yepes Delgado
Carlos Enrique
CE
Department of Preventive Medicine and Public Health School of Medicine, University of Antioquia, Carrera 51D No 62-29, Medellín, Antioquia, Colombia. caenyede@gmail.com
Yepes Delgado
Fanny Lucía
FL
Vargas Betancourt
Mónica Lorena
ML
Orrego Orozco
Beatriz Elena
BE
D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002908:Chronic Disease / Q000523:psychology; D003105:Colombia; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D007674:Kidney Diseases / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000523:psychology* / Q000628:therapy; D007676:Kidney Failure, Chronic / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010465:Perception; D011369:Professional-Patient Relations; D036301:Qualitative Research; D011788:Quality of Life / Q000523:psychology; D006435:Renal Dialysis / Q000523:psychology