Nephrology

Patients with Chronic Kidney Disease commonly develop End-Stage Renal Disease (ESRD); which requires renal replacement therapy at some stage. The disease combined with the treatment, have a major impact on patients’ personal, family and social lives. Patients have to get used to changes in their lifestyles, diet & fluid intake; due to the condition, routine medical procedures, doctor’s visits, and medical expenses. Studies have found that elderly and younger patients experience the disease and treatment differently, and have different needs. In one study, younger patients have expressed certain gaps in healthcare; that can help improve younger patients’ experiences. Many of them volunteered to act as mentors for other “new” patients; to improve patient education. Families are usually the main social support system for patients, and can greatly contribute to the patient’s disease management. In patients with ESRD consultation is large with the families. One large study showed a close relationship between family education levels and PD patient outcomes. This may be due to higher education levels being associated with better access to healthcare, as well as better understanding of information. Apart from the effects on the patient, the disease also impacts on the patient’s family; who may have to help care for him/ her. The whole family is affected by the fact that dialysis and kidney transplant is needed, and this can be overwhelming for both patient and family members. Financial pressures due to medical costs and sick leave, place a further strain on the wellbeing of the whole family. The speaker will present the experience of a peritoneal dialysis patient whose father also suffered from CKD, and had a kidney transplant.