Psychosocial adaptation of children and their parents to hospital and home hemodialysis

Abstract

Psychosocial adaptation of 20 children and adolescents treated by regular hemodialysis and their parents was analyzed by detailed semistructured interviews and questionnaires. The results in 10 patients treated in the centre and 10 followed at home were compared. The burdens of patients and parents induced by therapy as well as compliance, educational aspects and school activity in the treated children are described. Home dialysis usually provoked more fears of complications and aggressive feelings in patients and stress in parents but was superior to centre treated patients regarding social contacts and school activity of patients. From the data obtained, a comprehensive programme of psychosocial care for children with end-stage kidney disease was derived, including detailed instruction for parents and teachers of children on regular dialysis treatment.