Date of Award

2016

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Science in Nursing (MSN)

Committee Chair

Gayle Casterline

Abstract

End-stage renal disease (ESRD) is a prevalent condition among the elderly population in the United States. ESRD is the most feared stage of chronic kidney disease (CKD), as it is a terminal diagnosis requiring long-term management. Peritoneal dialysis (PD) is the most common method of home-dialysis treatment for individuals with ESRD. The purpose of this research is to gain insight into patient experiences of integrating PD therapy into daily lifestyle for a selected sample of people diagnosed with ESRD and currently on PD therapy. The research questions addressed include: how decisions about ESRD treatment options are made, choosing between PD and hemodialysis (HD) and choosing between ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (APD) versus continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD); how ESRD treatment choices impact the home environment and daily routines; and how ESRD treatment choices affect quality of life. A total of six participants voluntarily agreed to participate in interviews. Several overarching themes were identified in the transcripts: initiation, transition, convenience, quality of life, and personal well-being. The findings of this study revealed that individuals with a diagnosis of ESRD who require renal replacement therapy (RRT), experience a greater sense of normalcy when able to perform their dialysis therapy at home. These findings will provide firsthand information for future individuals diagnosed with ESRD who are facing treatment options, as well as medical professionals and family members who are involved in these individuals’ care.

Creative Commons License

Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.

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