Iranian mothers' Experiences with Children Undergoing Hemodialysis: A Hermeneutic Phenomenological Study.

PURPOSE

To describe Iranian mothers' perspectives regarding hemodialysis for their children.

DESIGN AND METHODS

This qualitative study was conducted using the hermeneutic phenomenological approach. The sample consisted of 11 mothers, among whom five were interviewed once and six were interviewed twice, for a total of 17 interviews. The data were then analyzed using van Manen's (1997) method.

RESULTS

Five themes emerged from the data: mothers enclosed by child care, emotional and psychological tension, acceptance and contrivance, the entire family being a victim of a sick child, and self-devotion.

CONCLUSION

The results indicated that the mothers of children undergoing hemodialysis experience multiple stresses in the physical, emotional-psychological, social, and economic dimensions.

PRACTICAL IMPLICATIONS

Nurses are the healthcare team members who most frequently interact with mothers of children undergoing hemodialysis. They are therefore positioned favorably to provide the information and emotional support needed by these mothers. Nurses are also among the frontline professionals who can provide services designed to assess the physical, psychological, and economic requirements of these mothers and their families.