| [ Summary ] |
Dialysis patients are compelled to live with a feeling of loss of things that are vital/close to them. It is imperative that dialysis physicians understand the hardships/distress of the patient who must accept introduction of the dialysis procedure. As dialysis treatment progresses, patients experience a deeper sense of loss regarding the decline in remaining renal function (urine volume), which would influence their convalescence, a sense of loss regarding the decline in quality of life (QOL) related to various factors including complications, age- or illness-related deterioration in cognitive abilities, and an increasing loss of independence compared to the patient's independence levels at the time of introduction of dialysis, and loss of life itself in the terminal stages. Dialysis physicians should empathize with these feelings of loss experienced by dialysis patients and should support them and their families. |