From physical to emotional pain in chronic kidney disease: Nurses' perceptions

Changes in body image are a recurring theme in the literature on chronic kidney disease (CKD). There is insufficient evidence identifying nurses' perceptions of this topic.

To explore nurses' perceptions of changes in the bodies of persons with CKD.

Phenomenological study.

Data were collected by semi-structured interviews with nephrology nurses selected through pragmatic sampling until data saturation. The interviews were transcribed and analyzed using the seven phases of Colazzi.

Information saturation was achieved with six nurses. Coexisting elements were found between the physical and emotional impact of CKD, and therefore the data were organised into a central theme: "From physical to emotional pain in the individual's body". This central theme was defined by seven subthemes that describe the coexistence of these two physical and emotional spheres, giving rise to the appearance of important meanings in the changes occurring in the bodies of individuals diagnosed with CKD. These meanings included stigma, dysfunctionality, emotional pain, the feeling of slavery, lack of information, taboo and hope.

In the nurses' perspective, the changes occurring in the bodies of people with CKD can transcend the physical sphere and acquire more complex meanings. Nurses have a unique insight into these complex meanings, which include all the domains of the person, and which have important implications for daily practice.

Nurses should have specialised training in providing effective responses to patients' emotional needs. It is also important to incorporate professional profiles that support nursing interventions.