Evidence mapPaperPMID 41495667Full record

ArticleBMC nephrology2026

Living with haemodialysis in Sri Lanka: a qualitative study on patient adaptation and care perceptions.

Chalani Lasanthika, Kamani Wanigasuriya, Usha Hettiaratchi, Thamara Dilhani Amarasekara, Christine Sampatha Evangeline Goonewardena

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Article in BMC nephrology, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

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1 · What the graph read from it

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2 · The registry

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3 · Its place in the literature

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4 · The record

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5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

5 authors.

Chalani LasanthikaDepartment of Nursing and Midwifery, Faculty of Allied Health Sciences, University of Sri Jayewardenepura, Gangodawila, Nugegoda, Sri Lanka. c.nimna@sjp.ac.lk.
Kamani WanigasuriyaCenter for Kidney Research, Faculty of Medical Sciences, University of Sri Jayewardenepura, Gangodawila, Nugegoda, Sri Lanka.
Usha HettiaratchiDepartment of Biochemistry, Faculty of Medical Sciences, University of Sri Jayewardenepura, Gangodawila, Nugegoda, Sri Lanka.
Thamara Dilhani AmarasekaraDepartment of Nursing and Midwifery, Faculty of Allied Health Sciences, University of Sri Jayewardenepura, Gangodawila, Nugegoda, Sri Lanka.
Christine Sampatha Evangeline GoonewardenaDepartment of Community Medicine, Faculty of Medical Sciences, University of Sri Jayewardenepura, Gangodawila, Nugegoda, Sri Lanka.

Funding

University Research Grant, University of Sri Jayewardenepura, Sri Lanka. ASP/ 01/RE/MED/2017/61
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundThe increasing prevalence of individuals undergoing haemodialysis (HD) compels the necessity of person-centred care to minimise treatment-related complications and improve the quality of life. Although the person-centred approach has been widely discussed, it remains underutilised in HD care, particularly in low- to middle-income countries. Understanding how patients perceive their care is crucial for developing tailored interventions and achieving desirable health outcomes. Therefore, this study was aimed to explore patients’ experiences of HD care in three selected government hospital dialysis units in Colombo District, Sri Lanka.

methodsOne-to-one, semi-structured interviews were conducted with a purposive sample of twelve participants undergoing HD for more than six consecutive months and receiving at least one dialysis session per week. Interviews were conducted from April to December 2022 until data saturation was reached. All interviews were digitally recorded, transcribed verbatim and analysed using the qualitative content analysis proposed by Graneheim and Lundman.

resultsAn overarching theme, ‘Adapting to a Disrupted Life Trajectory’ with four categories emerged: Burden of living with HD, Physical and psychological consequences of treatment, Coping and adjustment mechanisms, Healthcare system and service experiences. Daily life was often a burden for the participants due to physical and psychological challenges, numerous life restrictions and self-care burden. Despite these altered life routines, patients adapted coping mechanisms to regain a sense of control and maintain continuity of their treatment. Stigma associated with the terminal illness, famiy dynamics, and internal coping through spirituality shaped unique patient adaptation to the illness experience. Participants expressed a need for accessible HD care that is high in quality, safe, and delivered with compassion.

conclusionA person-centred approach, including goals of care conversations, would help to address patients’ concerns related to the multifaceted burden of HD treatment. Strengthening a well-coordinated, multidisciplinary team including nephrology, palliative care, and community-based services is essential to meet patients’ complex needs and provide specialist support across physical, psychological, social, and spiritual domains during the illness trajectory in a more holistic and timely manner.

Indexed as

Adaptation, PsychologicalKidney Failure, ChronicRenal DialysisAdultAgedFemaleHumansMaleMiddle AgedPatient-Centered CareQualitative ResearchQuality of LifeSri LankaChronic kidney failureHospital haemodialysis unitsQualitative researchRenal dialysisSri Lanka

Identifiers

PMID41495667
PMCPMC12784590

What Socratic holds

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the Socratic graph.