Investigating the impact of interdisciplinary training programs on self-efficacy and life satisfaction among Hemodialysis patients: a randomized controlled clinical trial

Abstract

Background: Chronic kidney disease represents a critical healthcare challenge globally, with significant implications for the patient well-being. Emerging evidence suggests that innovative educational interventions may substantially improve patients' self-efficacy and life satisfaction. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of an interdisciplinary training program on self-efficacy, and life satisfaction among hemodialysis patients in southern Iran.

Methods: This is a randomized controlled trial research without blinding included 100 hemodialysis patients who met the inclusion criteria participants from July to October 2024. Those who agreed to participate were randomly allocated into two groups: an intervention group (n = 50) and a control group (n = 50). The educational content validity was developed collaboratively through coordinated meetings with an interdisciplinary team that included a nephrologist, a dietitian, a nurse, a social worker, a spiritual counselor, and a psychologist. Based on this framework, a five-session interdisciplinary educational program was designed for the intervention group. Each session lasted 30 to 45 min. Data collection utilized two validated instruments: Diener Life Satisfaction Scale and Sherer General Self-Efficacy Questionnaire. These were administered at three critical time points-baseline (pre-intervention), immediately post-intervention, and three months following the training. The Shapiro-Wilk test evaluated the normality of quantitative data. The independent-samples t-test (or Mann-Whitney test) were performed to compare the basic data of the two groups. The post-intervention data were compared between study groups using ANCOVA and in this test the baseline information was considered as covariate. Also, the researchers employed repeated measures analysis of variance to measure changes in the patients' self-efficacy, and life satisfaction mean scores over time and between the two groups, with a p-value < 0.05 considered statistically significant.

Results: The sample comprised 66 male and 34 female participants, with a mean (SD) age of 54.4 (10.6) years in the intervention group and 55.0 (10.2) years in the control group. Initially, no statistically significant differences were detected among the groups across demographic characteristics. Following the interdisciplinary training program, the self-efficacy and life satisfaction differences in mean scores in the intervention group were significantly higher than the control group as measured immediately and three months after the intervention (p < 0.05).

Conclusion: This study provided compelling evidence for the transformative potential of interdisciplinary educational approaches to enhance the patient outcomes. The significant improvements in self-efficacy and life satisfaction suggest that targeted, holistic training programs can be a powerful tool in patient care strategies. In recognition of their potential to enhance psychological resilience and overall quality of life, healthcare administrators are strongly encouraged to consider the implementation of similar interdisciplinary educational interventions across diverse patient populations.

Iranian registry of clinical trials: IRCT registration number: IRCT20190917044802N11.

Keywords: Hemodialysis patients; Interdisciplinary training; Life satisfaction; Self-efficacy.