6.1.2 The illness experience of CKD, identifying the enabling health-related life skills: A grounded theory study (253)

Jane Bridger, Research Associate, Faculty of Health and Life Sciences, University of the West of England, Bristol, Bristol, United Kingdom janebridger@btopenworld.com

Abstract:

Background:

Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) is now recognised as a public health epidemic (Griffiths, 2005) and although preventable, is now affecting 11% of populations (De Luisignan, 2005). Its profile amongst general practitioners has been raised with its inclusion in the Quality and Outcomes Framework (BMA, 2006), however, general awareness of kidney disease remains poor. This presentation will outline the research conducted for a doctoral thesis and describe the findings with a focus on the core category developed. This core category has the potential to form the basis for an assessment tool to determine patient enablement for those with long term conditions which can then facilitate the development of individualised interventions to promote patient enablement.

Methods:

This longitudinal grounded theory study conducted between 2004-2006 used interviews, journals, and pictures to record a years' experience of living with CKD for 23 participants from 35 to 84 years of age. Participants were recruited from two general practices in the south west of England.

Results:

Only eight participants were aware of having a kidney problem although all 23 met the diagnostic criteria for CKD. A three phase theory emerged which described the individuals’ illness experience. Variation was accounted for by the core category of six health-related life skills, affirmation, language of illness, collaborative communication, personal health role, personal coping style, and social comparison, the absence or presence of which, facilitated or not, coping with the illness experience, along with stabilisation and regression of the disease.

Conclusions:

Those unaware of their CKD were thus unable to engage with its management. This research helps to explicate the current picture that faces both patients and healthcare professionals with respect to the management of CKD and offers the potential for a new tool to determine patient enablement for those with CKD and other long term conditions.

Biography:

My name is Jane Bridger, I am currently a research associate at the University of the West of England, Bristol, working on a longitudinal research project which is evaluating work based learning. My professional career has spanned 27 years during which time I have worked in practice, higher education, in this country and abroad and I have recently completed my PhD, findings from which are being presented today. I am an active member of the RCN and I am a member of the Steering Committee of the Nephrology Nurses Forum as well as a range of other activities.