Table 3 Themes and codes relating to QOL in patients and partners in early dialysis
Dialysis expectations | |
Quality of life Health | Patients and partners spoke repeatedly about how their expectations had or had not been met by dialysis. Their primary concerns were on the impact dialysis would have on their QOL and the patient’s health |
Accepting dialysis | |
Treatment and illness Lifestyle Actively accepting and control of dialysis Future | Some patients and partners expressed the importance of accepting dialysis and the changes it brought to both of their lives. Some actively accepted dialysis whereas others seemed resigned to it. The amount of control they thought they had over dialysis and their view of dialysis as part of their future (i.e., whether they hoped for a transplant) factored into how accepting they were of dialysis |
Dyadic relationship characteristics | |
Team-like Communication Positivity Awareness of self and other | The analysis highlighted the importance of cohesive patient-partner relationships on their QOL. Those who worked as a team, communicated effectively, were positive, and showed an awareness for the other person seemed to be the least affected by dialysis |