Content Analysis and Qualitative Study of Hemodialysis Patients, Family Experience and Perceived Social Support

Abstract

Background:Various treatments such as hemodialysis prolong the life of chronic renal failure disease patients who must tolerate many physical, emotional, social and economic difficulties. Therefore, social support is considered as a vital area of investigation for such patients.Objectives:In this qualitative research, a grounded theory approach was used and written as a content analysis form to study hemodialysis patients and family experience of perceived social support.Patients and Methods:Three nurses, 4 general practitioners, a specialist and two family members who participated were interviewed from April to September 2012 in Urmia, Iran. Interviews were guided to divulge the perception of changes in their lives, needs for social support for disease complications, and the type of treatment process. Purposive sampling continued up to data saturation. Data analysis was performed based on Strauss and Corbin Method. Constant comparison analysis was performed until data saturation.Results:The research results are shown in 3 steps. In the first step, 113 categories and four main themes from 993 first codes were explored. Social support was explored based on the implications of five general themes including “Perceived Threats Caused by Disease Complications”, “Searching for Social Support”, “Accessible Social Support”, “Beliefs and Values”, and “Perceived Social Support”.Conclusions:The core variable of our research is acceptance of the reality of the conditions caused by the disease. The research finalized our knowledge about patient problems regarding social support and revealed many problems of supporting patients by Health Team Members, family members and organizations. The findings suggest that individual aspects of patient experiences must be considered if social support is to be given and Healthcare Providers have to facilitate positive health services.

The Role of Social Support in Adherence to Treatment Regimens: Experiences of Patients with Chronic Diseases

“…Rosland et al (2010) also found that after marital partners, the most important sources of support for patients was their children, siblings, other family members, and friends (11). Other studies also confirmed this finding (7,23). Family members, especially spouses, play an important role in supporting the patients with chronic illnesses in their treatment regimen.…”

“…Previous studies have shown that perceived social support significantly contributes to patients' physical and psychological well-being and their treatment (7)(8)(9). However, some other studies have shown that certain supportive behaviors do not contribute to patients' well-being, and instead can also damage it in some ways (10,11).…”

Informal caregivers’ experiences of caring for people receiving dialysis: A mixed‐methods systematic review

“…As a result of the evaluation process, two of these studies (Aghakhani et al . ; Grapsa et al . ) were deemed of low quality and were excluded from the review (see Supplementary Table S1).…”

“…Two authors (AB and TG) independently reviewed the initial assessment and any discrepancies in assessment were resolved through discussion of the author team. As a result of the evaluation process, two of these studies (Aghakhani et al 2014;Grapsa et al 2014 deemed of low quality and were excluded from the review (see Supplementary Table S1).…”

Design of Mobile Hemodialysis Apparatus for Acute Renal Failure Patient's Self-Help and Treatment Adherence

“…Naderaghakhni et. al., have referred about the patients who are handling the physical, emotional and economical barriers in their day to day life [57]. The frequency in dialysis destroys their ethical respect of the patient among their personal society and it also leads to increase in fear of dependency.…”