Exploring the information practices of people with end stage kidney disease

Abstract

This small exploratory study sought to understand how people with End Stage Kidney Disease (ESKD) experience the information environment and what information practices they employ in order to inform the decisions they make in relation to treatment and care. Using a constructivist methodology, in-depth interviews were conducted with five people who were receiving haemodialysis in two small satellite dialysis units located in regional and rural communities in New South Wales, Australia. Thematic analysis revealed two types of patients. The first type appears to adopt a received view of information, who do not question their condition; and passively accept information. In the other type, patients were found to be engaged; they actively identified their information needs and quickly learned what that they needed to ask and who to ask. Knowing the information practices of people with ESKD is useful for nephrology nurses when providing patient education.