Renal Replacement Therapy: A Meta-study and Synthesis of Qualitative Evidence

Abstract

The objective of this study was to synthesize, in terms of qualitative or Q evidence, the findings derived from qualitative studies on the subject of renal function substitution therapies (RFST). Method: A qualitative meta-study was carried out in four instances. Results: Seventy-five (75) studies were included. Of these, 52 explored experiences related to hemodialysis (HD), 10 concerned peritoneal dialysis (PD), six were on transplants, six concerned PD and HD at the same time, and one looked at the three RFSTs. The studies that were in- cluded describe and represent the phenomenon of living with a chronic condition and being subjected to a RFST in a very similar way. The common patterns of the phenomenon were grouped and described in three main subject areas: metamorphosis of life; various aches and pains; and therapy invades life. Conclusion: The results show the human dimensions are closely interrelated. Accordingly, the phenome- non of living with a RFST generates a change in one’s “being" as a whole, since it is not possible to separate one dimension from another. This underscores the importance of thinking about attending to needs from a relational and non-hierarchical perspective.