Search

The purpose of this study was to explore how illness perceptions, specifically intrusiveness, impact individuals with chronic kidney disease living with dialysis therapy and kidney transplants, and to determine the relationships among illness perceptions, symptoms, coping, and quality of life (QoL). Forty-two individuals on dialysis and with renal transplants completed an online survey. We found strong relationships between illness intrusiveness, symptom scores, and QoL. Illness intrusiveness was highly disruptive to one's financial situation, health, and work. Intrusiveness was also significantly related to individual symptoms, especially tiredness, feelings of well-being, and sleep. Correlations between intrusiveness and QoL were significant. Emotion-focused coping strategies were also significantly associated with intrusiveness. Health professionals can target illness perceptions, symptom burden, and coping strategies to enhance QoL. Key Words: Illness perceptions, intrusiveness, cognitions, symptoms, coping, quality of life, chronic kidney disease, kidney transplantation, dialysis., Cognitive-perceptual factors play a central role in understanding quality of life (QoL), coping, and health-related behavior among those who are chronically ill. Devins and his colleagues (1983-1984) introduced the concept [...]

For youth with chronic kidney disease (CKD) and their families, shifting from pediatric to adult systems of renal care can be challenging. This study explored the transitional process experienced by youth with CKD and their families, including perceived facilitators and barriers to effective transition. Qualitative interviews were conducted with youth with CKD (n=28) and their parents (n=28). Ambiguity regarding healthcare provider roles within the adult system was frequently reported. Themes reflected parental challenge relinquishing care responsibility, synergistic and divergent expectations between youth and parents, tensions in youth self-care readiness, desired healthcare provider roles in transition preparedness, and system considerations in transition. A 'learning stage' was recommended in which youth experienced the adult system while supported by known pediatric team members.Key Words: Chronic disease, transition, adolescent, nephrology., Moving through adolescence and into adulthood involves developmental, biological, psychological, and social changes. Beginning at puberty, substantial shifts in physical development, body image, and independent thinking are identified, as are [...]

An integrative literature review examining the relationship of the spiritual and religious dimensions in quality of life (QoL) to the health of patients with chronic kidney disease was conducted. Questions included: 'What is the relationship of the religious and spiritual dimension with QoL and health of people with chronic kidney disease (CKD)?' and 'How does religious and spiritual coping influence the patient with CKD?' From the studies selected for review, it appears patients' spiritual and religious dimensions can positively influence the patients' QoL, increase their survival rate, and improve their health status. Key Words: Quality of life, spirituality, religion, chronic kidney disease., Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a global public health problem, causing significant morbidity and mortality. Approximately 14% of the adult population may be affected by the disease (United States Renal [...]

The success of organ transplantation has been well documented, with improvements in quality of life and cost-effectiveness being notable outcomes of the therapy. In this paper, we focus on the major issues and challenges related to the shortage of solid organs available for transplantation. The reasons for the organ shortage are complex and multifaceted. Fewer motor vehicle accident deaths, public perceptions about organ donation, attitudes of health professionals, knowledge of health professionals regarding organ donation, donor identification processes, family consent rates, and ethnocultural considerations are all issues that are important to consider in addressing the shortage., Organ transplantation offers many people the opportunity for a longer life and improvement in the quality of life (Hathaway, Hartwig, Crom, & Gaber, 1995; Laupacis et al., 1996; Molzahn, 1991; [...]

Individuals with chronic renal failure generally have strict dietary guidelines. This descriptive study was designed to identify the relationship between sources of social support and dietary management by Japanese hemodialysis patients. A self-administered questionnaire was completed by a convenience sample of 325 adults receiving dialysis. Subjects 65 years and older received more support from family members, doctors, nurses, and technicians than younger subjects. Subjects who had been on dialysis for less than 3 years received more support from nurses and doctors than those who had been on dialysis for longer periods of time. Multiple regression analysis identified that support from family members and nurses were significantly related to dietary behaviors. Nurses working with dialysis patients should remember to use their influence to positively support their patients and to bear in mind that long-term dialysis patients, especially those who are young and unmarried, may benefit from ongoing nursing support and encouragement.

Objective: The objective of this study was to describe one aspect of the reported quality of life (QOL) (according to the Aristotelian-Thomistic philosophical theory of the good life) of a selected group of children and adolescents whose parents were being treated by dialysis therapy for renal failure. Design: An exploratory descriptive design was used. Sample/Setting: Twenty-five children and adolescents ranging in age from 8 to 16 years, selected on a convenience basis, participated in the study. The setting was a major renal treatment program in Western Canada. Methods: Semi-structured interviews were held with children and adolescents privately, in their homes, once a week for two to three weeks. The interview data were subjected to content analysis. Results: Generally, the children and adolescents seemed to possess the real goods necessary for a good life. However, they appeared to need more goods of the mind: (a) an intellective good -- more information about how their various family members were feeling, and (b) decreased fear in relation to their parents' condition and treatments. Also, they discussed the need for carefree family vacations, an instrumental means to sensory pleasure -- a bodily good. Conclusion: Overall, the QOL of this group of children and adolescents seemed to be good. The parents' renal disease and dialysis therapy had an impact on the children's lives in that sometimes it interfered with and sometimes it facilitated attainment of real goods. Further study is required to examine the effects on the QOL of children and adolescents regarding dialysis modality, age/gender of the child or adolescent, and stage of treatment., End stage renal disease (ESRD) affects not only the individual with the disease but also family-members. While the quality of life (QOL) of individuals with ESRD has been studied extensively, [...]

Objective: The objectives of this study were to describe the perceptions of physicians, nurses, and patients regarding the quality of life (QOL) of individuals with end stage renal disease (ESRD), to identify differences in ratings of QOL, and to identify predictors of perceptions of QOL for each group. Design: A cross-sectional, descriptive comparative design was used. Three measures of QOL, the Self-Anchoring Striving Scale, Index of Well-Being, and Time Trade-Off were used. Sample/Setting: The subjects included 215 patients with ESRD (including dialysis and transplant), and 42 nurses and 7 physicians who cared for them. All were from a major tertiary care hospital renal program in western Canada. Methods: Patients were interviewed and asked to complete questionnaires relating to quality of life, health status, functional status, outlook, support, medical, and demographic characteristics. Three measures of QOL, the Self-Anchoring Striving Scale, Index of Well-Being, and the Time Trade-Off were used. Primary physicians and nurses were asked to complete the same questionnaires within one week of the patients. Results: It was found that there were significant differences in the ratings among the groups. The nurses' ratings of patients' QOL were significantly lower than were patients (T2=21.89, df= 5, 377, p, Although health care professionals have become increasingly concerned about the quality of life (QOL) of their patients, it is not clear whether patients' perceptions of their own QOL are congruent [...]

Organization culture refers to the ways in which work groups have evolved to consider and address issues that face them. In this article, the concept of a caring organization culture [...]

Many nurse authors have written about shifting paradigms. Paradigms refer to perspectives or world views. In nursing our perspectives have shifted from an emphasis on medicine back to nursing, from [...]

Research Critique Dr. Horsburgh and her colleagues have presented an interesting paper that begins to test theory, by examining the relationships among sense of coherence, age, socioeconomic status, and satisfaction [...]