THE PROBLEMATIC WORLD OF FOLLOWING A RENAL DIET OUTSIDE THE HOME.
BACKGROUND
Individuals on peritoneal dialysis are given dietary advice to help reduce disease morbidity and mortality. However, the experience of people who have been given this advice is not well researched.


OBJECTIVE
To understand the experiences of individuals on peritoneal dialysis when following dietary advice.


METHODS
A phenomenological approach, using semi-structured in-depth interviews was used to understand the experiences of ten service-users of the renal dietetic service. Data were analysed using Framework Analysis.


RESULTS
One theme emerged around difficulty when eating outside the home. Individuals experienced negative emotions when following advice. Individuals ate foods reluctantly, offered excuses as to why meals could not be eaten, or in extreme cases did not attend certain social gatherings in order to avoid the perceived attention and judgement from fellow guests related to their food choices.


CONCLUSIONS
A renal diet for peritoneal dialysis may be difficult to follow outside the home. Further support around eating in social situations may need to be offered when giving dietary advice.
Specialist Renal Dietitian, Dietetics Department, University Hospitals Coventry & Warwickshire NHS Trust, Coventry, UK.
Andrew
A
Morris
Clinical Psychology Department, University Hospitals Coventry & Warwickshire NHS Trust, Coventry, UK.
Helen
H
Love
Dietetics Department, Milton Keynes University NHS Foundation Trust, Buckinghamshire, UK.
Zulaika
Z
van Aar
School of Sport, Exercise and Rehabilitation Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK.
Clive
C
Liles
School of Sport, Exercise and Rehabilitation Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK.
Carolyn
C
Roskell
D004032:Diet / Q000523:psychology*; D006801:Humans; D018673:Nutrition Policy; D010349:Patient Compliance / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D010530:Peritoneal Dialysis / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
Diet; Kidney Disease; Nutrition; Phenomenology