Training and education, what has changed this last decade?

Abstract

Background The Dutch manual for the best care regarding training and education of our patients, as created by the special interest group for peritoneal dialysis (SIG PD), was revised. Objectives The aim of this paper is to describe topics learned from the manual revision, supported by noticed response changes in surveys from 2009 to 2019. Design Quantitative nursing research, using similar surveys to compare training and education over the last decade. Additionally, a brief search for literature was performed. Participants Dutch dialysis nurses. Approach In 2009, nurses were approached through an online survey sent to all dialysis centres in the Netherlands. In 2019, a similar survey was distributed during our annual Dutch nephrology days. Both surveys were compared and conclusions were drawn. Findings Retrieved information was divided into basic topics and compared. More important, our findings show that even after a decade, there is still no special education for the nurses and patient training is given based on experience alone. Furthermore, multiple nurses are involved in patient training, with varying materials. There are more home visits with training at home and retraining is more suitable. A growth in assisted PD implies more involvement by community nurses. Also, more acute PD is seen, with a different structure of training. Conclusions The manual was revised with input from our nurses and new guidelines, so we can uplift the education of peritoneal dialysis for the benefit of our patients, caretakers, and community nurses. As SIG PD we can support the dialysis nurses.