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The objective of this study was to explore the lived experience of patients with ESRD to determine if they are adequately educated about their illness so as to avoid the possible complications associated with the disease. Three pertinent conceptual categories emerged that described the concern in the life of patients on dialysis: 1) life changes on dialysis with sub-themes of restricted life, limitations, and hard on body; 2) coping; and 3) areas lacking with sub-themes of health management, education, and preparing the next gen - eration. Identified deficits among this study group will help healthcare professionals fill in the gaps in the delivery of healthcare service, which when addressed, would ultimate - ly ease the burden of this disease on patients and their families.
End stage renal disease (ESRD) is a chronic, irreversible disease of the kidneys. There is no cure for chronic renal failure. The treatment options are dialysis or kidney transplantation. ESRD reduces quality of life and life span, and places a heavy burden on the life of its victim and his or her family. The 20 08 U.S. Renal Data System (USRDS) Report indicated total Medicare spending in 20 06 for ESRD rose to $23 billion, with the highest expenditures occurring in the month of initiation of dialysis, reaching an average of $15,000 per individual (USRDS, 2008). Minor kidney dysfunction often goes unnoticed by the primary care provider, leading to inadequate preventive treatment for early renal insufficiencies. However, early management of renal function by nephrologists can improve care and reduce healthcare cost over the long haul (Amedia & Perazella, 20 06).
It is the authors' belief that because nephrologists have limited time with patients, they have difficulty equipping patients with the education needed for individualized self care. The nurse can provide holistic personal teaching tools to empower each patient with answers and treatment options to achieve better outcomes. However, because of time constraints, the patient either does not receive all the necessary information, or the information is too task-oriented for the patient to grasp to modify his or her behavior. Patients and their families are suddenly thrown into a total lifestyle change and given little or no preparation for starting dialysis. They are faced with numerous challenges of diet and fluid...