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Doing 'technological time' in a pediatric hemodialysis unit: an ethnography of children
Hilde Zitzelsberger1, Patricia McKeever2, Elizabeth Peter2
1University of Ontario Institute of Technology, 2000 Simcoe Street North, Oshawa, Ontario, Canada L1H 7K4.
Insights
Children undergoing hemodialysis experience hospital units through their technologically mediated embodiment. Understanding their perspectives on time, space, and technology is key to improving their care environment.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Nephrology
- Medical Sociology
- Healthcare Experience Research
Background:
- Hemodialysis is a common treatment for pediatric end-stage renal disease since the 1960s.
- Limited understanding exists regarding children's lived experiences of hospital-based hemodialysis.
Purpose of the Study:
- To explore children's perspectives on the time, space, and technology within a pediatric hemodialysis unit.
- To understand how children's experiences are shaped by their technologically mediated embodiment.
Main Methods:
- Focused ethnography was employed.
- Data collection occurred within a Canadian pediatric urban hospital's hemodialysis unit.
Main Results:
- Children's temporal and socio-spatial positioning were influenced by their technologically mediated embodiment.
- These factors shaped children's perspectives, evaluations, and expectations of the hemodialysis experience.
Conclusions:
- Further research is needed to create positive healthcare environments for children undergoing hemodialysis.
- Balancing technological care with child-centered approaches is essential for improving patient experience.
Abstract:
Since the 1960s, hemodialysis has been a common intervention for children with end-stage renal disease, however little is known about how they experience hospital-based hemodialysis. A focused ethnography was undertaken to explore children׳s perspectives of the time, space and technology of a hemodialysis unit at a Canadian pediatric urban hospital. The children׳s temporal and socio-spatial positions were an effect of their technologically mediated embodiment and shaped their perspectives, evaluations and expectations. The findings suggest that further explorations are needed to envision ways to create with children an overall positive place that merges and balances technological care with child focused care.
Related Concept Videos
Hemodialysis I: Introduction
Hemodialysis II: Procedure and Complications
Pharmacokinetics in Pediatric Patients: Drug Excretion
Hemodialysis III: Nursing Management
Dialysis
Acute kidney injury develops suddenly and can be caused by pre-renal causes (e.g., hypovolemia, shock), intrinsic renal causes (e.g., acute tubular necrosis), or post-renal causes (e.g., urinary obstruction). In contrast, chronic renal failure progresses gradually over time and is often...
Dialysis

