A QUALITATIVE STUDY OF HEMODIALYSIS PATIENTS’ EXPERIENCE OF PERCEIVED PERSONAL SOCIAL SUPPORT

Chronic renal failure disease is considered as one of the highest causes for
mortality rate in Iran that affects on physical, psychological and social health aspects of patients.
Various treatments like hemodialysis prolong the life of these patients, but they must tolerate many
complications in many aspects. Due to the interactional and cultural nature, social support sounds to
be vital and necessary to be investigated in patients.
The aim of this study was to highlight perceived personal social support in hemodialysis wards as
experienced by patients with chronic renal failure.
Materials & Methods: A grounded theory approach was used in this qualitative research. Key
informants were 22 patients who were treated by hemodialysis. Three nurses, 4 general practitioners, a
specialist and two family members participated in the study, and they were interviewed from April to
September 2012. Interviews were guided to unveil the perception of the drastic changes in their
existence, needs for social support for the disease complications, and hemodialysis as a treatment
process. Purposive sampling was done up to data saturation. Data analysis was done based on Strauss
and Corbin method. Constant comparison analysis was done until data saturation.
Results: The research results appeared in 3 steps. In the first step, five main themes from 993 first
codes were explored based on the meaning of general themes including “threats caused by disease and
hemodialysis ", “searching for a social support", “attained social support”, “subjective values and
beliefs”, and " acquired social support".
Conclusion: The qualitative research completed our knowledge about patients’ needs and problems
for social support. This issue reveals many problems for supporting the patients that are experienced
by health team members, family members and social organizations. The findings reveals that
individual experiences must be considered if social support should be done, and if health providers and
policy makers consider these items in health facilities