title: Caring in an atmosphere of uncertainty: perspectives and experiences of caregivers of peoples undergoing haemodialysis in Iran.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Chronic renal failure is one of the major causes of mortality and disability worldwide. Although dialysis treatment is considered as a life-saving treatment for these patients, their caregivers face various problems making the atmosphere of caring uncertain.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  This study is aimed to explore and describe the experiences and perspectives of family caregivers of the patients undergoing haemodialysis.
  
  
  METHODS
  In this study, 20 haemodialysis family caregivers were selected by purposeful sampling. Data gathering techniques in this research were in-depth and unstructured interview and field observation. The researchers used an inductive thematic analysis approach to analysing the interviews' data.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Three main themes emerged from the data indicating the patients' care are conducted in a state of uncertainty including constant struggle to learn, effort and adherence to the divine thread, and in disease's captivity.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Caring in an uncertain atmosphere leads to decreased efficiency and quality of family caregivers' care. To promote and improve the efficiency of care, healthcare planners should pay attention to the challenges and perspectives of caregivers of the patients undergoing haemodialysis.
authors.affiliation: Department of Health Education and Promotion, School of Health, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran.
authors.forename: Leili
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Rabiei
authors.affiliation: Department of Health Education and Promotion, School of Health, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran.
authors.forename: Ahmad Ali
authors.initials: AA
authors.lastname: Eslami
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Nursing and Midwifery, Khorasgan (Isfahan) Branch, Islamic Azad University, Isfahan, Iran.
authors.forename: HeidarAli
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Abedi
authors.affiliation: Faculty Member of Nursing and Midwifery School, Shahr-e-kord University of Medical Sciences, Shahr-e-kord, Iran.
authors.forename: Reza
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Masoudi
authors.affiliation: Department of Health Education and Promotion, School of Health, Qom University of Medical Sciences, Qom, Iran.
authors.forename: Gholam Reza
authors.initials: GR
authors.lastname: Sharifirad
mesh_terms: D017028:Caregivers / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007492:Iran; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D006435:Renal Dialysis; D035501:Uncertainty
keywords: Iran; caregivers; challenges; haemodialysis; uncertainty