Comparison of health beliefs among African American, Caucasian, Hispanic, and Hmong hemodialysis patients who skip or shorten dialysis treatments
Author(s):
Samoylenko, Elizabeth
Format:
Thesis
Degree granted:
M.S.
Publisher:
Ann Arbor : California State University, Fresno, 2006.
Pages:
73
Language:
English
Abstract:
Hemodialysis patients of all socio-cultural backgrounds have demonstrated shortening or skipping behaviors related to chronic hemodialysis treatment regimen. Because the quantity of life is limited for every patient suffering from a chronic illness, the quality of life is of great importance. The health beliefs surrounding the lived experiences of 9 hemodialysis patients from two rural, hospital-based hemodialysis units, who shortened and skipped hemodialysis treatments, were studied using phenomenological inquiry within a qualitative research methodology. There were surprising similarities within this diverse group of participants. The African American, Hispanic, Hmong, and Caucasian patients studied recognized the seriousness of their disease and employed similar survival strategies surrounding their skipping and shortening behaviors. Insight into the emotions experienced by hemodialysis patients, influenced by healthcare provider interaction, and patient observation of events within the dialysis unit is invaluable and can be influential to positively impact the culture within the dialysis unit.