Abstract
The present investigators surveyed 65 home dialysis patient-partner pairs under our hospital's management in order to clarify the present condition of the patients and their partners in terms of the responsibility and role.
Replies were obtained from 59 of the 65 pairs surveyed by questionnaire. Ninety percent of the patients were males, and 90 percent of the partners were females. Both the patients and their partners were in the prime of life (between 30 and 40 years of age). Some 86 percent of the patients and 34 percent of the partners were employed. Seventy-eight percent of the partner's were the patient's wife. Approximately 60 percent of the patients depended on their partners to prepare for the home dialysis, a task which took 55±28min. Eighty-four percent of the patients made the fistula needle insertion themselves, and 70 percent of them administered their own heparin during dialysis, and controlled the transmembrane pressure by themselves as well.
Seventy-six percent of the partners cleaned up and put things in order after the dialysis, taking an average of 41±19min. Forty-nine percent of the patients preferred to heve the partners fill out the dialysis card; thirty-nine percent used the partners to assist with the self-management records; 58 percent also did so for the material entry records, and another 56 percent depended on their partner to keep tab on inventory.
However, all patients went over the lab oratory reports themselves. Ten percent of the partners replied that they wanted the patients to do all they could by themselves. Forty-six percent of all partners had thought of quitting home dialysis, but 96 percent wished to continue it together with the patient.
From the foregoing, it was clear that the patient depends heavily upon the partner for many things in home dialysis. On the other hand, while remaining positive about dialysis in the home, the partner is eager for the patient to do more in the way of self management.
