The Lived Experience of Patients Receiving Hemodialysis Treatment for End-Stage Renal Disease: A Qualitative Study

Background: End-stage renal disease (ESRD), the last stage of chronic kidney disease, is the point at which the kidneys are no longer able to support the body's needs. Thus, ESRD significantly impacts the day-to-day life of patients. To improve bodily functions and prolong life, patients with ESRD require renal replacement therapy in the form of either hemodialysis (HD) or kidney transplantation. Research has documented the impact of ESRD and HD on quality of life. There is a lack of qualitative studies that describe how ESRD sufferers in Thailand cope with daily life. Purpose: This study aimed to better understand the daily life experiences of Thai patients with ESRD who are on HD. Methods: This study used a phenomenological approach and a semistructured interview guide. Thai men and women with ESRD and on HD were purposively recruited from an HD unit at one hospital in Thailand between February and May 2013. Inclusion criteria included (a) currently being treated for HD, (b) ability to communicate in Thai, and (c) age of over 18 years. Participants were asked to describe their problems, feelings, thoughts, and attitudes as well as how they experienced their lives. Data saturation was reached after the completion of 26 interviews. The data were analyzed using thematic analysis. Results: The following themes emerged from the data: (a) facing life's limitations, (b) living with uncertainty, and (c) dependence on medical technology. Conclusions/Implications for Practice: The authors hope that the findings increase the understanding of healthcare providers about the lived experience of Thai patients with ESRD on HD. Greater understanding is critical in helping healthcare providers identify the changes in practice that will be necessary to better care for and integrate the best holistic practices into standardized care for this population.