Empowerment in outpatient care for patients with chronic kidney disease - from the family member's perspective

Abstract

BackgroundFamily members of persons with pre-dialysis chronic kidney disease may experience feelings of vulnerability and insecurity as the disease follows its course. Against this background, the aim of the present study was to explore empowerment in outpatient care as experienced by these family members.MethodsAn inductive approach for qualitative data analysis was chosen. The study sample comprised 12 family members of pre-dialysis patients at an outpatient kidney clinic. Two interviews with each family member were subjected to content analysis to gain an understanding of empowerment from the family members' perspective.ResultsHaving strength to assume the responsibility was the main theme that emerged from the following five sub-themes: Being an involved participant, Having confirming encounters, Trusting in health-care staff, Comprehending through knowledge, and Feeling left out. Four of these five sub-themes were positive. The fifth subtheme illuminated negative experience, indicating the absence of empowerment.ConclusionsFamily members' experience of empowerment is dependent on their ability to assume the responsibility for a relative with chronic kidney disease when needed. The findings emphasise the need for a family perspective and the significance of a supportive environment for family members of persons in outpatient care.

The empowerment of elderly patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: Managing life with the disease

“…The participants described knowledge acquisition as essential for their empowerment, a finding supported by previous researchers [18, 19]. They sought information from literature, the Internet, mass media programs, and peers, and by talking to healthcare providers.…”

“…They sought information from literature, the Internet, mass media programs, and peers, and by talking to healthcare providers. Patients have previously described seeking information outside healthcare encounters, so as to acquire an understanding of the disease [19]. Previous findings have underlined the need for healthcare providers to support patients by providing relevant knowledge that is important to them [10, 20].…”

“…From the healthcare professionals’ perspective, they empowered elderly people and their family members by taking time to talk to them, answering questions, and offering helpful information. Furthermore, according to previous research, it is important that family members get the same information as the elder, to facilitate their understanding of the elder’s situation [19]. Healthcare providers have a responsibility to help elders with COPD and their families learn how to better control the former’s disease, as opposed to letting it control them.…”

Qualitative exploration of the experiences of renal dietitians and how they help patients with end stage kidney disease to understand the renal diet

“…Furthermore, findings from a study of patients receiving dietary advice for cardiac rehabilitation indicated that patients stopped following dietary recommendations after receiving contradictory advice from other health professionals . Further research into the relationship between trust in the health professional and patient empowerment is warranted …”

Cuidado Educativo Compartilhado: Estratégia De Ação Da Enfermagem Junto a Usuários Com Insuficiência Renal Crônica

“…Dessa maneira, o conhecimento fornece responsabilidade e autonomia à pessoa para viver de maneira mais digna e humana; isto é, ajuda o usuário a tomar decisões e desenvolver habilidades para cuidar de si, emancipando-o (7) .…”