What informs decisions regarding home dialysis: a qualitative descriptive study of patients from Greek backgrounds in a hospital-based haemodialysis unit
RIS ID
108798
Link to publisher version (URL)
Abstract
Background: An audit of dialysis patients in the renal service revealed that 20% of hospital-based patients were from a Greek background in comparison to 7% in the home dialysis group. A study to provide the opportunity to increase the uptake of home dialysis therapies in people with advanced chronic kidney disease (CKD) from a Greek background was conducted in 2015. The main aims of the study were to provide a better understanding of the factors that inform decisions of people from Greek backgrounds regarding dialysis and to identify the enablers and barriers to choosing home dialysis for this group. Methods: This qualitative descriptive study involved participant interviews. The participants were a convenience sample of patients on hospital-based haemodialysis who are from Greek backgrounds. Results: Ten interviews supported by a Greek interpreter were conducted. There were seven male and three female participants and the average age was 78 years. They had migrated to Australia on average 53 years ago. Interview themes identified were: not understanding; the doctor told me; doing for the husband; and not in my house. Conclusions: Age at dialysis commencement and cultural influences impacted the participants' dialysis choices. Further work is being done to address the main themes in an effort to support people from Greek backgrounds in their dialysis decision making.
Publication Details
Tranter, S. (2016). What informs decisions regarding home dialysis: a qualitative descriptive study of patients from Greek backgrounds in a hospital-based haemodialysis unit. Renal Society of Australasia Journal, 12 (2), 56-61.