QUALITY OF LIFE OF ADULT HEMODIALYSIS PATIENTS (SPIRITUALITY).
Contributors: University of Texas at Austin.
Published: 1995
Number of pages: 174
Subjects: Health Sciences, Nursing.
Description: The purpose of this exploratory, descriptive study was to describe the perceived (experienced) quality of life (QOL) of adult hemodialysis patients.

Data were gathered from a nonrandom sample of 20 adult hemodialysis patients. An interview schedule and demographic data profile developed by the researcher, plus the Quality of Life Index-Dialysis Version (QLI) (Ferrans & Powers, 1985) were used to gather the data.

The interview data were analyzed by manifest and latent content analysis. Manifest content analysis was used by first organizing the data within four a priori categories identified from the sensitizing framework of the study, and by counting frequencies of themes. Latent content analysis provided for inductive derivation of three more categories and nineteen themes. The four a priori categories were: life satisfaction, self-esteem, general health and functional status, and socioeconomic status (George & Bearon, 1980). The three categories which emerged inductively were: spirituality; coping; and health care providers.

Scores (possible score 1-30) on the Quality of Life Index were high for overall QOL (mean = 21.23). Subscale scores were: health and functioning (mean = 20.38); socioeconomic (mean = 21.31); psychological/spiritual (mean = 23.18) and family (mean = 23.99) were also high. The scores on the QLI support the categories and themes that emerged from the qualitative data.

The findings of this study have implications for both the art and science of nursing practice for providing therapeutic "caring" for these patients. Implications for nursing education include developing curricula that provide content on "caring", spirituality, culture, and legislative awareness. Theoretical implications relate to theory building, Neuman's (1990) systems model, and theories of caring such as Watson (1988) and Leininger (1981). Further qualitative research on QOL, studies that include the influence of culture or spirituality on QOL, and research exploring staff mix of health care providers in relation to perceived QOL of patients are encouraged.
Notes: Source: Dissertation Abstracts International, Volume: 56-10, Section: B, page: 5416.

Thesis (PH.D.)--THE UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS AT AUSTIN, 1995.

School code: 0227.