Abstract
Objective
to establish the contexts of the experience of being (un) comfortable, according to the perceptions of patients with chronic kidney disease, during hemodialysis treatment.
Method
qualitative study, carried out in a hemodialysis clinic, between May and June 2018, with 30 patients with chronic kidney disease, undergoing hemodialysis, able to communicate verbally. A semi-structured interview was used, with guiding questions that sought to elucidate the contexts of experience of feeling and being comfortable, based on Kolcaba’s theoretical framework. Data submitted to thematic content analysis.
Results
four analytical categories emerged, regarding the contexts of (dis) comfort: physical (immobility, hypotension, pain, hunger, cramp, tiredness, polyuria, itching, edema, thirst); environmental (light, noise, chair, cold); psycho-spiritual (despair, sensitivity, social isolation); and social (change of routine).
Final considerations
the meaning of comfort for patients undergoing hemodialysis was configured as basic human need, as patients experienced daily discomfort related to physical, environmental, psycho-spiritual and social contexts.
Implications for practice
the results of the study enable health professionals to provide assistance to chronic renal patients in a holistic way, based on the promotion of comfort.
Keywords:
Patient comfort; Chronic renal failure; Nursing theory