Qualitative research on the needs status of patients undergoing automated peritoneal dialysis based on behavior...

This article aimed to explore the needs status of patients undergoing automated peritoneal dialysis (APD) based on the behavior change wheel (BCW) theory (and associated improvement strategies) to clarify the obstacles that affect patients' behavior choices. Furthermore, it aimed to explore practical countermeasures to improve the quality of life of patients undergoing APD.

Eleven patients undergoing APD were selected for a semi-structured in-depth interview using the purposive sampling method, and the phenomenological qualitative research method was used to organize and analyze the content of the interviews and to consider reasonable interventions under the guidance of the BCW theory.

The study identified three themes and six sub-themes that guide patients on peritoneal dialysis to choose APD as a behavior change: opportunity needs (a desire to diversify access to information and patients' desire to try APD if physically possible); motivation needs (a desire to better fulfill family responsibilities and a desire to return to society); and capability needs (a desire to have some social skills and a desire to have self-management capability).

Medical staff should design personalized intervention strategies according to patients' abilities, opportunities and motivation needs, including optimizing information transmission, improving technical support, promoting patient health management efficiency and improving the acceptance of APD through social support and publicity, to improve patients' quality of life.