Stories of patients with renal insufficiency about their self-care. Guaranda Basic Hospital

Abstract

Introduction: Renal failure is a chronic disease that affects the patient's quality of life and generates feelings of anguish, fear, and hopelessness. Objectives: to learn the stories of patients with renal failure at the Hospital Basic Guaranda in the province of Bolívar between November 2022 and April 2023, to identify their experiences of self-care and provide information to meet their needs. Method: The study was developed under the qualitative and phenomenological approach. The hermeneutic process was used to analyze the life history accounts of patients with renal failure and to collect information the open-ended questionnaire was used as an instrument and the interview as a technique. The information was processed using Atlas Ti v. 9. Results: The phenomenological study showed that the participants have diverse experiences related to chronic kidney disease and its treatment. The categories identified included life experiences of the disease, impact of kidney failure, and support and self-improvement. In addition, how the disease affected patients' lives was explored, including the personal impact of treatment, social life, post-treatment, work, and family life. The importance of emotional support and holistic care in the treatment of CKD was also highlighted, with subcategories examining the role of family support, pain management, coping with the disease, and the role of nurses in supporting patients. Conclusions: The life experience of patients with renal failure and in need of dialysis treatment is complex and can be difficult at first and has a significant impact on patients' lives in emotional, practical, and social terms.