Patient initiated shortening and missing of haemodialysis treatments
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Patient initiated shortening and missing of haemodialysis treatments: A Qualitative study
IRAS ID
230129
Contact name
Mark T Bevan
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Northumbria University
Duration of Study in the UK
0 years, 10 months, 29 days
Research summary
Haemodialysis treatment is required at least three times per week for around four hours every time. This is a lifelong treatment for many people that requires a clear commitment to attend. There are a small number of haemodialysis patients who find the relentless treatment and attendance a challenge and choose to not attend occasionally or regularly and/or to shorten treatment sessions. At face value this behaviour appears to have no immediate impact other than a resource cost which is an issue it itself. However, evidence identifies that people who undertake such behaviours increase their risk of premature death, of multiple life threatening symptoms, and increased episodes of hospitalisation. Non-attendance or shortening has a disruptive effect upon the individual and the unit and may require the need for emergency treatment.
There is evidence that suggest links to problems such as depression, stress, black race, young age, being male, alcohol and substance abuse, homelessness, low staffing levels at a unit, and non-compliance to other aspects of treatment such as diet. There is little evidence providing patient based reasons for their behaviour but some have been identified in the evidence and includes a weekend effect, illness, home commitments, over sleeping, transportation problems and competing appointments.There are no studies that examine the patient’s experience in depth and explore their reasoning for undertaking this high risk and costly behaviour. For example it not clear why someone would call a unit and claim not to be well enough to attend treatment. With the intention of improving patient-centred care these experiences need to be explored in order to understand what they go through. This group of people will be identified within two NHS trusts and approached about taking part in the study. The participants will be interviewed for 60 minutes about their experience.
REC name
East of England - Cambridge South Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
19/EE/0344
Date of REC Opinion
9 Jan 2020
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion