title: Views of Canadian patients on or nearing dialysis and their caregivers: a thematic analysis.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Quality of life of patients receiving dialysis has been rated as poor.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To synthesize the views of Canadian patients on or nearing dialysis, and those who care for them.
  
  
  METHODS
  Secondary analysis of a survey, distributed through dialysis centres, social media and the Kidney Foundation of Canada.
  
  
  METHODS
  Pan-Canadian convenience sample.
  
  
  METHODS
  Patients, their caregivers and health-care providers.
  
  
  METHODS
  Text responses to open-ended questions on topics relevant to end-stage renal disease.
  
  
  METHODS
  Statements related to needs, beliefs or feelings were identified, and were analysed by thematic content analysis.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A total of 544 relevant statements from 189 respondents were included for the thematic content analysis. Four descriptive themes were identified through the content analysis: gaining knowledge, maintaining quality of life, sustaining psychosocial wellbeing and ensuring appropriate care. Respondents primarily identified a need for more information, better communication, increased psychosocial and financial support for patients and their families and a strong desire to maintain their previous lifestyle.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Convenience sample; questions were originally asked with a different intent (to identify patient-important research issues).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Patients on or nearing dialysis and their caregivers identified four major themes, gaining knowledge, maintaining quality of life, sustaining psychosocial wellbeing and ensuring appropriate care, several of which could be addressed by the health care system without requiring significant resources. These include the development of patient materials and resources, or sharing of existing resources across Canadian renal programs, along with adopting better communication strategies. Other concerns, such as the need for increased psychosocial and financial support, require consideration by health care funders.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta Canada ; Interdisciplinary Chronic Disease Collaboration, Kragujevac, Alberta Canada.
authors.forename: Lianne
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Barnieh
authors.affiliation: Department of Community Health Sciences, University of Calgary, Calgary, Canada ; Faculty of Nursing, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta Canada.
authors.forename: Kathryn
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: King-Shier
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta Canada ; Interdisciplinary Chronic Disease Collaboration, Kragujevac, Alberta Canada ; Department of Community Health Sciences, University of Calgary, Calgary, Canada ; Libin Cardiovascular Institute and Institute of Public Health, University of Calgary, Calgary, Canada.
authors.forename: Brenda
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Hemmelgarn
authors.affiliation: Keenan Research Centre, Li-Ka Shing Knowledge Institute of St. Michael's Hospital, Toronto, Ontario Canada ; Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Kragujevac, Ontario Canada.
authors.forename: Andreas
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Laupacis
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta Canada ; Interdisciplinary Chronic Disease Collaboration, Kragujevac, Alberta Canada.
authors.forename: Liam
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Manns
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta Canada ; Interdisciplinary Chronic Disease Collaboration, Kragujevac, Alberta Canada ; Department of Community Health Sciences, University of Calgary, Calgary, Canada ; Libin Cardiovascular Institute and Institute of Public Health, University of Calgary, Calgary, Canada ; Foothills Medical Centre, 1403 29th St., NW, Calgary, Alberta T2N 2T9 Canada.
authors.forename: Braden
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Manns
keywords: Content analysis; Kidney disease; Needs