Renal replacement therapy: available information versus demands of patients.

OBJECTIVE

This study examined the current state of information on renal replacement therapy and the educational demands of kidney transplant recipients.

METHODS

The study was conducted through a survey. The questionnaire of this study was developed by researchers and was completed by 72 kidney recipients.

RESULTS

The recipients were most frequently informed of hemodialysis (87.5%), followed by kidney transplantation (69.4%) or peritoneal dialysis (48.6%) as a modality of renal replacement therapy at the time of diagnosis of chronic renal failure. Information about kidney transplantation was provided when they were diagnosed with end-stage renal disease (ESRD; 33.3%) or right after initiation of dialysis (15.3%) or a few years thereafter (9.7%). They were informed about kidney transplantation mostly by transplantation surgeons (mean degree score = 3.1 ± 1.3; range, 1-4), followed in order by transplant coordinators, nephrologists, family members, other patients, artificial kidney unit nurses, and mass media or internet. Regarding the influence of the information on their decision to receive a transplant, the mean score was 3.2 ± 1.2 (range, 1-5). Also, kidney transplantation was evaluated as the best renal replacement therapy for work, pregnancy/delivery, traveling, and diet.

CONCLUSION

Patients diagnosed with ESRD are not fully informed of transplantation as a primary optimal renal replacement therapy for their quality of life.