Peritoneal dialysis after shared decision-making: the disparity between reality and patient expectations

Background The current health policy in Taiwan favors peritoneal dialysis (PD) at home. Policy objectives may make healthcare providers give more consideration to the introduction of PD treatment. This study aimed to explore the process of information acquisition and consideration during shared decision-making (SDM) for patients undergoing PD and compare their quality of life expectations before and after PD at home. Methods In this qualitative study, 15 patients undergoing PD for < 12 months were purposively recruited from one large PD unit in Taichung, Taiwan. Data were collected between August 2020 and December 2020 using a semi-structured interview. All transcripts were evaluated using thematic analysis. Results Three themes and seven subthemes were identified following data analysis: 1. sources for information on dialysis treatment, including (a) effect of others' experiences and (b) incomplete information from healthcare providers (HCPs); 2. considerations for choosing PD, including (a) trusting physicians, and (b) maintaining pre-dialysis life; and 3. disparity between pre-and post-PD reality and expectation, including (a) limitation by time and place, (b) discrepancies in expected freedom and convenience, and (c) regret versus need to continue. Conclusion HCPs played an important role in SDM, providing key information that influenced the process. Patients undergoing initial PD at home exhibited a disparity between expectation and reality, which was exacerbated by incomplete information.

Automated summary

This study found that information acquisition and shared decision-making are crucial in patients undergoing PD treatment. Patients consider trust in physicians and maintaining pre-dialysis life when choosing PD treatment. There is a disparity between patients' expectations and reality before and after PD treatment.