Exploring the nature of illness perceptions in people with end-stage kidney disease.
BACKGROUND
Diagnosis and treatment for End-Stage Kidney Disease (ESKD) results in vast lifestyle changes. Despite the high prevalence of depression in people with ESKD, the psychosocial impacts of ESKD are still often overlooked. Illness perceptions enable people to make sense of their illness and are closely associated with depression. Due to the high levels of depression within ESKD, this study sought to understand the nature of illness perceptions in people with ESKD.


METHODOLOGY
In this qualitative study, eleven participants were identified through hospital and online patient support groups. Semi-structured interviews were audio-taped, transcribed and analysed using grounded theory techniques.


RESULTS
Three themes emerged from the data: Renal Conflicts, Forced Adjustment and Coping. The main dimensions of illness perception discussed by participants were Consequences, Control, Timeline and Identity.


CONCLUSION
The results of this study have practical implications for informing practitioners about the psychosocial effects of ESKD diagnosis and treatment.
['Rees|Jessica|J|http://orcid.org/0000-0002-9471-2134', 'Chilcot|Joseph|J|', 'Donnellan|Warren|W|', 'Soulsby|Laura|L|']
D000223:Adaptation, Psychological D000328:Adult D017281:Cost of Illness D005260:Female D006801:Humans D007676:Kidney Failure, Chronic D008297:Male D008875:Middle Aged D010465:Perception D036301:Qualitative Research D017582:Renal Replacement Therapy D013315:Stress, Psychological
Illness perception End-stage kidney disease Psychosocial Haemodialysis