This Article Full Text (PDF) References Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Citation Map Services Email this article to a friend Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in PubMed Alert me to new issues of the journal Add to Saved Citations Download to citation manager Request Permissions Request Reprints Add to My Marked Citations Citing Articles Citing Articles via Google Scholar Citing Articles via Scopus Google Scholar Articles by Hutchinson, T. A Search for Related Content PubMed PubMed Citation Articles by Hutchinson, T. A Social Bookmarking                         What's this?

Transitions in the lives of patients with End Stage Renal Disease: a cause of suffering and an opportunity for healing

Division of Palliative Medicine, Department of Medicine, McGill University Health Centre, Programs in Integrated Whole Person Care and Department of Oncology, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec

The treatment of End Stage Renal Disease (ESRD) successfully prolongs the survival of patients with kidney disease but requires that ESRD patients cope with frequent deleterious changes in their health and life situation, and shortened survival. Although the nephrology team is well-equipped to deal with the medical and technical aspects of care, it is less well-equipped to help patients with the impact of the difficult human transitions that come with dialysis and transplant treatment. Times of great challenge can also be opportunities for personal growth and healing but this often requires outside support. We need to develop new resources specifically aimed at helping ESRD patients complete important life transitions and more research on the frequency and impact of these events.

Palliative Medicine, Vol. 19, No. 4, 270-277 (2005)
DOI: 10.1191/0269216305pm1028oa


CiteULike    Complore    Connotea    Del.icio.us    Digg    Reddit    Technorati    Twitter    What's this?