O impacto da doença renal crónica e tratamento nas dinâmicas familiares do paciente

Abstract

This study aims to investigate the impact of chronic kidney disease and its treatment, on the patient’s occupation, family life and Self. The narratives and representations, of each patient, in relation to their illness / treatment are explored. According to each patient’s point of view, we tried to understand how the process of illness / treatment affects the family dynamics - marital and parental – their social relationships and emotional processes. When chronic kidney disease strikes at a person’s life, one is invaded by a set of contradictory and ambivalent feelings that eventually has a direct and intense family impact. This research was, based on the following questions: what are the implications of chronic kidney disease and its treatment in the professional career, in the family (marriage and parenting), in other social networks, and in the Self ? The study took place in a Lisbon area hospital, between October 2012 and January 2013. Patients on hemodialysis who took part in this study are treated in outpatient centers in their residence area. Patients on peritoneal dialysis are managed in the hospital. We adopted a comprehensive strategy, collecting and analyzing qualitative information. Thirteen patients with, either on hemodialysis or peritoneal dialysis, were subject to semi-structured, in-depth, interviews. The results point to the fact that chronic kidney disease and its treatment are processes that produce pain and discomfort, physical and psychological in nature, requiring a unique and slow coping process that naturally relates to the patient’s work and family context. The disease and its treatment affects the families, whose behavior and representation of the disease, in turn, affects the patient himself.

Date of Award	2013
Original language	Portuguese
Awarding Institution	Universidade Católica Portuguesa
Supervisor	Teresa Líbano Monteiro (Supervisor)