1. Data collection and analysis
What procedures were used to gather data?
The participants were Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) patients undergoing hemodialysis at a hospital in Crete, Greece. One researcher directed face-to-face interviews in a silent place in the hospital. The researcher ran Open-ended questions to the patients, and there was an open discussion with the interviewer. The first question meant to initiate conversation was, "How is your life with CKD?" (Stavropoulou, 2020). Other open-ended queries were administered to encourage the patients to discuss their experiences and views concerning their illness. The researchers collected data on the various aspects of living with CKD after diagnosis. Each participant's interview period was about 15-25 minutes.
Are the data collection procedures consistent with the method?
The data collection processes are consistent with the qualitative method as they appropriately explore human experiences and understand the participant.
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What steps were used to analyze data?
The data were analyzed using a qualitative content evaluation procedure. The content analysis comprises detailed stages of dynamic reading, evaluation, coding, and consolidating information—the data analysis procedure contained exposed coding, classifying codes, and generating themes. Phrases or words of statements by the partakers established the unit of study. The researchers condensed to notions that defined the patient's experiences with the disease. Common ideas were assembled into groupings and then contrasted and compared. It led to the documentation of the four key themes, which were then split into subthemes that replicated the patients' experiences with CKD.
Is the data analysis procedure consistent with the method?
The data analysis process is consistent with the method as it grouped the patients' experiences for better evaluation.
2. Results
-Summarize the findings (themes) of the study.
The research participants revealed four main themes:
Facing a new reality
As stated in the study, patients with CKD face the reality of handling a chronic advancing illness. The new fact forever upsets their emotional and physical health. It also affects the lifestyle, professional life, family matrix and relationships of the patient. Mental and physical exhaustion due to hemodialysis lowers their quality of life because of increased depression and stress behaviors. The patients describe their experiences emotionally as despair and melancholy.
Confronting changes
The study acknowledged as an issue among the patients as they try to handle the changes. The changes are linked to adopting new roles, shifting to dependence from freedom, and restricting family, social, and professional lives. Patients could not avoid the burden of hemodialysis treatments and anxiety due to their illness.
Finding ways to cope
In the study, most patients noted a tremendous influence of family, friends, and social relationships in their lives. Some of the participants' coping strategies were professional assistance, strength of character, and social networks. Participants chose many coping strategies to cover their psychological and emotional necessities founded on their social networks.
Continuing life
Patients learn to live with the disease and accept it in their lives. They go for treatments typically and continue with their social and professional life. The family heads also adjust and continue taking care of their family.
Were the findings justified by data (quotes)? Do the findings tell a complete story? (Give rationale)
Data do not justify the findings. For example, they do not quote the number of patients in the study who struggle with social stigmatization or ones that are being a burden to their families. The findings do not give a complete story because they do not categorize people according to their experiences and perceptions.
3. Implications for Practice
What implications for practice are discussed by the researcher?
The study findings show how CKD patients undergo experiences in accepting the disease and making strategies to cope with life. It implies that CKD patients begin negative perceptions of their early diagnosis. The negative perceptions about their illness might affect how the patients respond to it. The social support interactions help create a positive attitude among the patients about the disease and its effects. It also helps to encourage patients to enlighten their quality of life.
Do the findings have transferability or implications for your own nursing practice? What do you think?
The findings have implications in my nursing practice. They emphasize why I need to help CKD patients reduce destructive psychological issues about their illness. It also stresses the need to assist patients in building proper coping strategies and highlighting their social sustenance system depending on the phase of the disease. The findings highlight that healthcare providers should assess the disease's psychological impacts from the diagnosis stage to develop and plan personalized interventions to expand every patient's knowledge of CKD.
Reference
Stavropoulou, A. (2020). Exploring Patients' Experiences After Chronic Kidney Disease Diagnosis: A Qualitative Study. Nephrology Nursing Journal , 47 (1).
