On the Fresenius-sponsored PatientHub app, the moderator posted the following question: “What is the biggest hurdle you’ve overcome while on home dialysis?” Over a four-year period, there were 63 responses to the question. I thought it would be nice to summarize for readers of this blog what actual patients on PD reported. Thus, this blog entry.
In statistics, there is a methodology named “content analysis.”
Content analysis is a statistical methodology used to analyze text data by categorizing or coding the content into various groups. The process involves identifying specific words, themes, characters, or concepts within the text and quantifying their frequency or pattern of occurrence. This objective, systematic, and quantitative description of the manifest content of communication allows for inferences to be made about the messages within the texts, the sender(s), the audience, or the culture and time of its creation. The methodology can be applied to a broad array of texts, such as speeches, interviews, articles, social media posts, and more, allowing researchers to draw empirical insights from qualitative data.
Methodology: I cut and pasted all of the responses into a Word document. I then copied this Word document and pasted it into my ChatGPT4 bot and instructed it to run a content analysis on the input and provide a summary output. This output is next:
The content analysis of the provided text reveals several themes and challenges faced by individuals undergoing peritoneal dialysis (PD) treatment. The identified themes include:
- Diet: Many individuals mention the challenge of managing their diet, particularly in relation to phosphorus intake. The love for certain foods like cheese can make it difficult to adhere to dietary restrictions.
- Sleep and discomfort: Sleep-related issues are a common hurdle. People mention difficulty sleeping due to the noise and light from the cycler machine. Staying still during sleep can also be a challenge, leading to concerns about inadvertently causing complications such as infiltrating venous needles.
- Storage and space management: The storage and organization of supplies can pose logistical challenges, especially for individuals with limited space. The large quantity of supplies delivered can be overwhelming and may require dedicated storage areas.
- Infection and complications: Infections, graft ruptures, and other complications are mentioned as significant hurdles in the PD treatment process. These complications can lead to additional interventions, changes in treatment modalities, and emotional distress.
- Weight management: Weight gain or loss can be challenging for individuals on PD. Balancing nutritional needs, limited dietary options, and the effects of dialysis on metabolism can make weight management difficult.
- Emotional and psychological impact: Various emotional and psychological challenges are discussed, including guilt, shame, body image concerns, frustration, and anxiety. People share their experiences of feeling like a burden, dealing with insecurities, and navigating changes in relationships and sexuality.
- System and healthcare provider challenges: Some individuals express frustration with the supply chain, pharmacy services, and healthcare providers. Issues with ordering, lack of communication, and perceived indifference from healthcare teams are mentioned as challenges that could be addressed to improve the overall experience of PD treatment.
- Time management and routine: Establishing and maintaining a routine that accommodates treatment, work, appointments, and other responsibilities is highlighted as an anxiety-inducing task. The need to calculate preparation time, dialysis time, and other factors adds to the complexity.
- Fatigue: Several individuals mention feeling tired or experiencing a lack of energy, which can be a persistent challenge in managing daily activities alongside PD treatment.
This content analysis provides insight into the lived experiences of individuals undergoing PD treatment, shedding light on the diverse challenges they face and the strategies they employ to overcome them.
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