Supportive Relationships Among Hemodialysis Recipients at a Remodeled Kidney Center

ABSTRACT

This study investigates the importance of social time spent at a remodeled kidney center among hemodialysis recipients. Twenty hemodialysis treatment recipients were selected to participate in semi-structured interviews to determine how they perceived the time spent at a kidney center. These twenty treatment recipients had received chronic dialysis treatment for at least one year, and were able to articulate an awareness of themselves within a community of other treatment recipients. Although the newly remodeled kidney center prevented unhampered communication with one another while receiving hemodialysis treatment, the recipients were able to generate supportive conversations and relationships in the waiting room and at the kidney center.

Key Words:

• Kidney center
• community
• kidney center design
• quality of life
• social interaction
• supportive relationships
• hemodialysis