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Dialysis — A family matter. A personal tribute to the relatives of kidney patients
Author(s) -
Auer J.
Publication year - 2002
Publication title -
edtna‐erca journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.381
H-Index - 27
eISSN - 1755-6686
pISSN - 1019-083X
DOI - 10.1111/j.1755-6686.2002.tb00229.x
Subject(s) - spouse , tribute , multidisciplinary team , medicine , multidisciplinary approach , dialysis , nursing , family member , unit (ring theory) , psychology , family medicine , psychiatry , sociology , social science , mathematics education , archaeology , anthropology , history
Summary The patient and his or her treatment is the main focus of the multidisciplinary team in the Renal Unit, yet the most important part of the patient's life is that spent at home, outside the hospital. It is important to recognise the contribution to care of the patient's family, especially the spouse. It is also important to understand the carer's needs. Carers experience many of the stresses associated with End Stage Renal Failure, while being relatively unsupported and unappreciated by hospital staff. This paper focuses on the need for imagination and understanding of the carer's predicament, and suggests ways in which carer's needs can be met.