Purpose of the Study
The goal of this study was to see how effective structured treatments were in reducing the frequency of AVF self-care behaviors in ESRD patients enrolled in traditional HD programs (Souza et al., 2020).
Type of Research & the Design
This was quasi-experimental research involving HD patients on AVF in dialysis units (Souza et al., 2020). In Portugal and the Azores, dialysis centers were located. Patients were divided into two groups: the Control Group (CG) and the Intervention Group (IG) (Souza et al., 2020).
Sample
The method utilized was random sampling, and the distribution of dialysis units to the groups was done on purpose for the study group’s convenience (Souza et al., 2020).
Data Collection
The authors devised a questionnaire to collect data on sample demographic features. A self-care measure list had 16 items divided into two subscales: Managing signs and symptoms and Preventing complications (Souza et al., 2020). Patients with AVF who have better scores have a more significant percentage of self-care.
Data Analysis
The Chi-Square test for categorical variables and the Mann-Whitney test for quantitative variables were used to analyze the data (Souza et al., 2020).
Limitations
The same investigator conducting the intervention and determining the eligibility of patients may have raised the likelihood of bias. Small group numbers might be considered as a limitation as well.
Findings/Discussion
SISC-AVF had a statistically significant favorable impact, according to the study’s findings. Patients who received the intervention were able to enhance their self-care behavior, and, as a result, they became more vigilant in spotting potential AVF issues (Souza et al., 2020). This research should be viewed as a beginning step toward identifying potential therapies to help AVF patients acquire self-care skills (Souza et al., 2020).
Reading Research Literature
The researchers’ literature integrates advice on how to care for your own AVF. According to certain research, patients typically do not engage in the actions required to avoid AVF infection (Souza et al., 2020). Some research proposes theoretical lecturing as a feasible solution in this situation, however it does not specify how such an intervention could be implemented.
Reference
Sousa, C. N., Paquete, A. R. C., Teles, P., Pinto, C. M. C. B., Dias, V. F. F., Ribeiro, O. M. P. L., Ozen, N. (2020). Investigating the Effect of a Structured Intervention on the Development of Self-Care Behaviors With Arteriovenous Fistula in Hemodialysis Patients. Clinical Nursing Research, 30(6), 866–874.