Patients with hemodialysis are often medically fragile and require support in many areas of their daily lives. Hemodialysis is a procedure to remove waste and fluid from one’s blood, just like their nephron did. There are several potential barriers to educating patients with hemodialysis. These barriers include the patient’s ability to understand the education, the patient’s ability to perform the procedure independently, and the patient’s ability to communicate with other healthcare providers (Raymond & Morrow, 2020). Many hemodialysis patients have difficulty communicating orally and generally speaking because of the pain; these issues can be compounded by a lack of literacy skills or an inability to write or use another form of communication appropriate for the situation.
Without proper education and communication, patients with hemodialysis may experience adverse health events from their medical device that could be avoided through increased awareness and knowledge about how to care for their renal and manage their condition properly. Language Barriers can prevent a patient from understanding their condition and treatment options (Kopple et al., 2021). The patient may also be unable to communicate their preferences to the care team. Firstly, a language barrier can also be a problem for a caregiver who is not fluent in the patient’s native tongue, as it is hard for them to form a trusting relationship and get an accurate picture of their needs. Cultural Differences: patients from different cultures may have different views on medical care and how they should interact with their healthcare providers. For example, some cultures are more likely to offer non-verbal cues or accept treatment without thoroughly answering all questions. To provide adequate care and education, the healthcare provider must be aware of these cultural nuances when interacting with patients.
One way to mitigate the identified barriers is to use interpreters when communicating with patients with a language barrier. This will ensure that patients understand the information given and express their preferences to the care team. Another way to mitigate the identified barriers is to be aware of cultural differences and consider them when interacting with patients. This will help ensure that patients from different cultures receive the care they need and that their cultural beliefs are respected (Kopple et al., 2021). Additionally, it is essential to provide patients with hemodialysis with clear and concise instructions on how to care for their kidneys and manage their condition. This will help ensure that patients can adequately care for their kidneys and avoid adverse health events. Finally, it is crucial to ensure that patients have adequate support to help them with daily living activities and to provide emergency care if needed (Raymond & Morrow, 2020). This will help ensure that patients can live as independently as possible and have the care they need in an emergency.
There is no one perfect setting for the delivery of education for hemodialysis patients. However, it is essential to consider each patient’s individual needs when determining the best setting for their education. For example, some patients may benefit from instruction in a group setting, while others may prefer to receive education one-on-one. Additionally, it is essential to consider each patient’s level of understanding and cognitive ability when determining the best setting for their education. Some patients may benefit from instruction in a more structured environment, while others may prefer to receive education in a more informal setting (Kopple et al., 2021). Ultimately, the best setting for the delivery of education for hemodialysis patients will be the setting that best meets the individual needs of each patient
References
Kopple, J. D., Massry, S. G., Kamyar Kalantar-Zadeh, & Fouque, D. (2021). Nutritional management of renal disease. Academic Press.
Raymond, J. L., & Morrow, K. (2020). Krause and Mahan’s food & the nutrition care process. Saunders.