5.7.1 Lost time: The patients' experience of waiting during haemodialysis therapy (176)

Aoife Moran, Research Fellow, School of Nursing, Dublin City University, Dublin, Ireland Co authors: Anne Scott & Philip Darbyshire

Abstract:

Background:

Haemodialysis is one form of renal replacement therapy for patients with end stage renal disease (ESRD). It requires the person to comply with a strict regime of dialysis, medications, and dietary and fluid restrictions. These patients are also dependent on the haemodialysis machine for survival, and must accept frequent interaction with the healthcare team (Al-Arabi, 2006; Ravenscroft, 2005). The lifestyle disruptions caused by the illness and treatment can make it difficult for some patients to accept life on haemodialysis therapy.

Aim:

The overall aim of this study is to provide an in-depth understanding of the experience of being a patient with ESRD on haemodialysis therapy.

Methods:

The methodology employed was interpretive phenomenology. A purposive sample of sixteen participants aged from 20-70 years was recruited. Two semi-structured interviews were conducted with each participant. An approach to interpretive data analysis by Diekelmann & Allen (1989) was used to analyse the data.

Results:

The findings indicated that the experience of waiting was significant for the participants in the study. Their accounts suggest that they spent a lot of time waiting when they attended haemodialysis therapy. The time spent waiting was empty and unproductive, and held the participants back from their everyday lives. Therefore, they interpreted their experience of waiting, as lost time. The theme Lost Time is constituted by two sub themes: Killing Time and Wasting Time.

Discussion:

The theme Lost Time will be discussed from a phenomenological perspective. The existing literature does not address the experience of waiting in relation to the patient with ESRD on haemodialysis therapy. The patient’s experience is the most appropriate starting point for providing effective, patient-centred care. It is anticipated that the findings from this study will contribute to the existing literature and also contribute to evidence-based practice.

Biography:

Aoife Moran is a PhD student in the School of Nursing at Dublin City University. She holds a Clinical Nursing Research Fellowship from the Heath Research Board of Ireland. Aoife worked as a Clinical Skills Nurse in the School of Nursing at Dublin City University before commencing her Fellowship in October 2005. This position involved teaching clinical skills in a simulated ward environment to students undertaking the BSc in Nursing. Aoife’s clinical background is in renal nursing and her research is focused on the experiences of patients with ESRD on haemodialysis therapy.