Phenomenology on the Hemodialysis Experience of Patients with End-Stage Renal Disease / 재활간호학회지

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: This study aimed to explain what are the experiences of patients with renal disease who are just begun hemodialysis in the end-stage. METHODS: The data were collected from February to December in 2017 through individual in-depth interviews using open-ended questions. For data analysis, a phenomenological method suggested by Colaizzi was applied. A total of 8 hemodialysis patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) participated in this study. RESULTS: According to the analysis, five theme clusters emerged ‘I go into darkness’, ‘Being disappearing from others’, ‘Baby bird living with love’, ‘Dawn in darkness’ and ‘A life longing for the absolute’. CONCLUSION: Patients undergoing hemodialysis experienced fear and anxiety at the beginning of hemodialysis. Therefore, counseling and social supports were needed for patients with ESRD in their early stage of hemodialysis. In addition, a multidisciplinary education program should be implemented in the future research. It may help to overcome for the patients who are experiencing complicated health problems in their early stage of hemodialysis treatment.