Adequacy of dialysis: the patient's role and patient concerns

Abstract

The patient's role in adequacy of hemodialysis is demanding and complex. It requires meticulous attention to initiating, accepting, and maintaining extraordinary behavioral change. This includes the following: (1) major alteration of dietary habits, often contrary to a patient's familial and cultural customs; (2) compliance with a new, voluminous medication routine, often straining personal finances; (3) reallocation of time for transportation, treatment, and partial recovery, frequently consuming a minimum of 6 to 8 hours 3 days each week; (4) psychologic adjustment to unaccustomed chronic dependency on, and accountability to, an array of variably experienced and competent renal care staff; (5) skills, seldom taught, required to communicate clearly and regularly with overworked medical professionals who are often much younger with less life experience; and (6) additional commitment to compensating for the physical fatigue that routinely accompanies hemodialysis. Reasonable behavioral modification in these 6 categories is likely to increase the chances of a patient fulfilling his role in adequacy of dialysis. Some patients, however committed the staff have been in assisting them, may show little interest in dialysis adequacy and the patient's role. Other patients periodically may fail in their role unless the renal care team recognizes the patient as an individual who is included as an important team member. The patient requires consistent and repeated education about their disease, treatment, and risks and benefits of adherence. The unique, unnatural requirements of adequate chronic hemodialysis require this patient support from the renal staff, enhanced by continuous sensitive attention, empathy, and persuasion. This will help the patient achieve success in their role.