Design: A Heideggerian phenomenological design was employed incorporating unstructured interviews and hermeneutic phenomenological data analysis as described by Cohen, Kahn & Steeves (2000).

Sample: A purposive sample of fifteen participants was selected for the study.

Concept Studied: This study focuses on the concept of adjustment in the renal patient undergoing haemodialysis therapy. The biopsychosocial consequences of end stage renal disease (ESRD) and haemodialysis may precipitate life-changing situations for the individual. Consequently, effective adjustment is essential to enhance the wellbeing of these patients. Despite the importance of adjustment, there appears to be a lack of understanding regarding this concept amongst healthcare staff. The literature review indicated that ESRD may induce losses in the individuals’ life, subsequently initiating a reaction similar to a grieving process. This paper will explore whether a theoretical framework called the Theory of Social Grieving, can be applied as a basis for understanding adjustment in the renal patient on haemodialysis.

Findings: The analysis uncovered five major themes including emotional traumatisation, subsistence, suspension, equilibrium, and environment.

Conclusions: There were many similiarities between the themes which were extracted during analysis and the Theory of Social Grieving by Boyd & Myers (1991), thus indicating that the theory may provide a conceptual basis for critically understanding the adjustment process of the renal patient on haemodialysis.

Implications: It is anticipated that this research will contribute to a better understanding of the dynamic adjustment process encountered by the renal patient undergoing haemodialysis. This information may contribute to improvements in the provision of patient care through evidence-based practice, thereby enabling renal patients to adjust more effectively to their illness and treatment.

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Back to 15th International Nursing Research Congress
Sigma Theta Tau International
July 22-24, 2004