From the Diagnosis of Renal Failure to Hemodialysis: A Life Change

Abstract

The goal of this project was to explore the experiences of patients and nurses in the care relationship and to highlight these experiences and feelings in their pathway. Listening carefully and giving importance to the story of patients and health professionals makes them appreciate their importance and uniqueness. Shared narration acquires a deep meaning because it conveys to the listener the values that determined the choices and actions of the storyteller. We gathered for the present study several narratives of patients; four of them have been selected here. For the narrative analysis we used the Qualitative Content Analysis approach, which aims to describe and highlight the characteristics of a phenomenon. From the analysis of the narrative texts four categories have been identified: hope/confidence, anxiety/fear, sense of impotence/disfavor, and empowerment/determination. (narrative nephrology)