Journal of Renal Care

Self-compassion in patients undergoing haemodialysis: A qualitative study
Kemmochi T, Oka M, Matsumoto M, Sato Y, Sato M, Fukuda A, Sadakata A and Kimura K
Patients undergoing haemodialysis require long-term treatment and suffer from physical limitations and emotional distress due to restrictions in daily life, such as food and fluid restrictions, which can lead to self-criticism and depression. To address these issues, the concept of self-compassion, which is important for patients undergoing haemodialysis, has gained attention.
Barriers and enablers to exercise in kidney transplant recipients: Systematic review of qualitative studies
Bates A, Letton ME, Arnold R and Lambert K
Exercise has the potential to reduce the susceptibility to comorbidity and cardiovascular disease in kidney transplant recipients. However, kidney transplant recipients report lower levels of exercise compared to the general population, prompting an investigation into the barriers and enablers to exercise in this transplant cohort.
Barriers and facilitators to vascular access point-of-care ultrasound in haemodialysis: An international survey of haemodialysis clinicians
Schoch M, Fielding C, Marticorena RM, Smith GE, Sinclair PM, Iglesias R and Bennett PN
Utilising point-of-care ultrasound for assessment and cannulation of vascular access in people receiving haemodialysis has shown positive clinical results. Nonetheless, there is variation in how renal health care professionals worldwide embrace this method, and there's a lack of research on the factors that promote or hinder its adoption.
Getting the most out of remote care: Co-developing a Toolkit to improve the delivery of remote kidney care appointments for underserved groups
Tum P, Awan F, Baharani J, Coyne E, Dreyer G, Ewart C, Kalebe-Nyamomgo C, Mitra U, Wilkie M and Thomas N
Telephone and video appointments are still common post-pandemic, with an estimated 25%-50% of kidney appointments in the United Kingdom still conducted remotely. This is important as remote consultations may exacerbate pre-existing inequalities in those from underserved groups. Those from underserved groups are often not represented in health research and include those with learning disability, mental health needs, hearing/sight problems, young/older people, those from ethnic minority groups.
Advancing arteriovenous fistula needling: The role of physical exam and doppler ultrasound
Pinto R, Barros J, Ferreira R, Alves P, Sousa R, Oliveira L, Pereira L, Correia AL, Silva AR, Henriques A, Magda Guerra , Mata F, Salgueiro A, Fernandes I, Alves R and Sousa C
The success of haemodialysis (HD) critically depends on the effective use of arteriovenous fistulas (AVFs). The precise needling technique is vital to minimise complications and ensure functional vascular access.
Patients' perspectives on key aspects influencing needling for haemodialysis: A qualitative study
Moore C, Ellis-Caird H, Fielding C, Awan F, Paul T, Flanagan R, Sharma S, McCafferty K, Veer SNV, Farrington K and Wellsted D
For many patients, cannulation ('needling') is essential for haemodialysis. It is associated with anxiety and fear and contributes to the overall burden of treatment. Limited research exists on patient experience of needling and how this might vary by individual and clinical characteristics.
Challenges in posttransplantation care for kidney transplant recipients: A qualitative study highlighting gaps in psychological, social and exercise support
De Beir J, De Baets S, Vandecruys M, Renier M, De Smet S, Van Craenenbroeck AH, Van Biesen W, Nagler EV, Verbeke F, Calders P and Vanden Wyngaert K
Kidney transplantation offers meaningful health improvements compared to dialysis, yet the quality of life and life expectancy of kidney transplant recipients still lag behind those of their healthy peers. Physical inactivity and poor physical fitness are prevalent among kidney transplant recipients, affecting overall life participation.
Young adults with kidney failure lived experiences of kidney replacement therapy decision-making
Ofori-Ansah S, Evans M, Baillie L and Moorley C
Young adults living with kidney failure make decisions to select a kidney replacement therapy choice in partnership with healthcare professionals. However, little is known about how they experience kidney replacement therapy treatment decision-making and the impact this has on their well-being.
Understanding nurses' perceptions of sexual health and function in people requiring haemodialysis
Mckie AL, Saito A, Green T and Bonner A
Sexual dysfunction is common for adults receiving chronic haemodialysis; however, renal nurses seldom discuss this topic with patients.
Self-efficacy and home dialysis: An integrative review
D'Souza NA, Abu-Qamar MZ and Whitehead L
Enhancing patient confidence in their ability (self-efficacy) is vital to ensure people are equipped to maintain home dialysis protocols. Bandura's social cognitive theory provided a framework for understanding the role of self-efficacy in patients managing home dialysis.
Perspectives of Chinese nephrology nurses on discussing sexual dysfunction with patients receiving haemodialysis: A qualitative study
An L, Yodchai K and Kongsuwan W
The study underscores the crucial yet often neglected issue of sexual dysfunction in haemodialysis patients. Despite nephrology nurses'close relationships with patients, there is a significant communication gap on this topic. In China, limited research highlights the need for further study.
Cultural and linguistic diversity is associated with increased inter-dialytic weight gain among patients on long-term haemodialysis
Blessan A and Zimbudzi E
Factors associated with suboptimal interdialytic weight gain have long been established. However, the influence of cultural and linguistic diversity on interdialytic weight gain among patients receiving haemodialysis is not well-understood.
Use of toe systolic blood pressures and toe brachial pressure indices in people receiving dialysis: A scoping review
Carle R, Tehan PE, Stewart S and Carroll MR
Current guidelines for noninvasive lower limb vascular testing specify a preference for toe brachial pressure measurement to aid in the diagnosis of peripheral arterial disease populations with high suspicion of peripheral vessel calcification, such as those with kidney failure with replacement therapy.
Health literacy profiles in kidney transplanted patients: A cluster analysis
Vidnes TK, Wahl AK, Larsen MH, Meyer KB, Hermansen Å and Andersen MH
Health literacy is important in chronic conditions, such as kidney transplantation. Understanding patients' health literacy profiles can assist tailoring follow-up and educational programmes to the health literacy needs of vulnerable kidney transplant recipients. This approach enabled us to cluster patients according to their profiles of challenges and strengths in different health literacy domains.
Once-per-week haemodialysis in a financial crisis: Predictors of interdialytic weight gain
Jagodage HMH, Seib C, McGuire A and Bonner A
Several countries are experiencing challenges in maintaining standard haemodialysis services for people with kidney failure.
Effects of an ice roller on chronic kidney disease-associated pruritus in patients receiving haemodialysis
Lin JN, Chen CF, Huang CY, Lai FM and Wang CJ
Chronic kidney disease-associated pruritus is a distressing symptom and has a far-reaching impact on patients' sleep and quality of life for most patients receiving haemodialysis. Traditional therapies have limited effectiveness.
Exploration of low-phosphate diet management of patients receiving renal dialysis: An interpretive description
Christensen KM, Bauer EH and Prinds C
Patients with dialysis-dependent kidney failure and treated for hyperphosphatemia receive a combination of dietary advice, phosphate binders and prolonged dialysis. However, research focusing on the challenges patients meet in everyday life addressing diet and medication is sparse.
Health-literacy, self-efficacy and health-outcomes of patients undergoing haemodialysis: Mediating role of self-management
Hsu SH, Lin YL, Koo M, Creedy DK and Tsao Y
Health literacy, self-efficacy and self-management are known to influence health-related well-being. However, the precise influence of self-management, health literacy and self-efficacy on health outcomes in Asian countries is under-researched.
The experiences of people starting haemodialysis: A qualitative study
Mehta K, Hussein WF, Leuther KK, Fegler A, Schiller B and Bennett PN
Starting dialysis is a life-changing transition for people living with kidney disease. People feel overwhelmed with diet changes, medications and surgical interventions, and often experience high levels of anxiety, depression and hospital admissions. The objective of this study was to explore and describe the experiences and perspectives of people starting dialysis.
Challenges in decision-making support processes regarding living kidney donation: A qualitative study
Wada Y, Ueno T, Umeshita K and Hagiwara K
Previous studies on decision-making of living kidney donors have indicated issues regarding donors' autonomy is inherent in decision-making to donate their kidney. Establishing effective decision-making support that guarantees autonomy of living kidney donor candidates is important.
Mind the gap in kidney care: Translating what we know into what we do
Luyckx VA, Tuttle KR, Abdellatif D, Correa-Rotter R, Fung WWS, Haris A, Hsiao LL, Khalife M, Kumaraswami LA, Loud F, Raghavan V, Roumeliotis S, Sierra M, Ulasi I, Wang B, Lui SF, Liakopoulos V, Balducci A and
Historically, it takes an average of 17 years to move new treatments from clinical evidence to daily practice. Given the highly effective treatments now available to prevent or delay kidney disease onset and progression, this is far too long. The time is now to narrow the gap between what we know and what we do. Clear guidelines exist for the prevention and management of common risk factors for kidney disease, such as hypertension and diabetes, but only a fraction of people with these conditions worldwide are diagnosed, and even fewer are treated to target. Similarly, the vast majority of people living with kidney disease are unaware of their condition, because in the early stages it is often silent. Even among patients who have been diagnosed, many do not receive appropriate treatment for kidney disease. Considering the serious consequences of kidney disease progression, kidney failure, or death, it is imperative that treatments are initiated early and appropriately. Opportunities to diagnose and treat kidney disease early must be maximized beginning at the primary care level. Many systematic barriers exist, ranging from patient to clinician to health systems to societal factors. To preserve and improve kidney health for everyone everywhere, each of these barriers must be acknowledged so that sustainable solutions are developed and implemented without further delay.