Psychological phenotyping in hemodialysis: proposal for a personalized therapeutic approach on the patient’s profile

Abstract

The careful assistance required by chronic kidney disease (CKD) patients represents a huge challenge for clinicians and nurses, who must learn new, specific skills in order to cater to the growing needs of the CKD patient population. Everyday care of end-stage renal disease patients is extremely challenging and the main goal is to improve their quality of life while strengthening the clinician/patient relationship. A psychological portrait of hemodialysis patients is needed to define the patient profile so as to help physicians and nurses work together with the patient. Physicians and nurses must learn to change their approach to the patient in order to achieve the therapeutic aims: better compliance and quality of life by helping patients to accept their hemodialysis treatment.