Spirituality in Renal Supportive Care: A Thematic Review

Illness perceptions of Turkish Cypriot patients receiving haemodialysis: A qualitative study

BACKGROUND

Illness perceptions refer to cognitive appraisals that help patients understand and make sense of their condition. Although their importance in health behaviour and outcomes has been evidenced, less is known about cultural influences on mental representations of kidney failure amongst patients receiving haemodialysis in different settings.

OBJECTIVE

To explore the illness perceptions of Turkish patients receiving haemodialysis in North Cyprus (Turkish Cypriots).

DESIGN

A qualitative study involving individual semistructured interviews.

PARTICIPANTS

Fourteen patients receiving haemodialysis, recruited from three state hospitals in North Cyprus.

APPROACH

All interviews were conducted in Turkish, audio-recorded, and transcribed verbatim. They were analysed inductively in the original language using reflexive thematic analysis. Once the analysis was completed, it was translated into English. Quality assurance was integral to the research process to retain semantic equivalence.

FINDINGS

Three themes were developed. "Illness appraisal" highlighted a lack of factual knowledge about kidney failure and how this is related to attempts at sense-making, whilst retaining hope for the future. "Life-changing effects" centred around the negative consequences of haemodialysis across multiple domains (e.g., emotional and physical). "Active coping strategies" focused on mechanisms that patients adopt to manage the burden of haemodialysis, particularly approaches that are culturally rooted.

CONCLUSION

There is a need for better communication to address the lack of individual patient knowledge about kidney failure. Haemodialysis is described as a burdensome treatment though existing coping mechanisms suggest that psycho-spiritual interventions may be advantageous to aid adjustment for Turkish Cypriots receiving haemodialysis.

Spirituality in the Lives of Patients with End-Stage Renal Disease: A Systematic Review

The aim of this systematic review was to answer these questions: What does spirituality means to patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD)? And are there associations between spirituality and the health outcomes and general well-being of patients with ESRD? Thirty-three studies met the review criteria. Meaning of spirituality for patients with ESRD and spirituality in the lives of patients with ESRD were the main themes emerged. There is growing evidence that suggests a positive relationship between spirituality and the health outcomes and well-being of ESRD patients. However, the evidence is incomplete and there is a need for further research to enhance our understanding of the role of spirituality in improving the health outcomes and well-being of ESRD patients.

Sense of meaning influences mental functioning in chronic renal patients

In this preliminary study, we examined whether aspects of spiritual well-being accounted for mental and physical health-related quality of life in 68 patients with end-stage renal disease, when controlling for age, type of treatment, physical symptoms, and worries. Hierarchical multiple regressions showed that meaning was associated with better mental health, while worry and physical symptoms also accounted for poor mental health. Faith and peace did not contribute to mental health. Older age, type of treatment (hemodialysis), and physical symptoms accounted for poor physical health. Our findings suggest that clinicians should include spiritual well-being in future interventions for end-stage renal disease patients.