[Treatment of patients on maintenance dialysis by a privately practicing physician (author's transl)]

The patient under maintenance-dialysis, is advised and cared for by the dialysis center he has been assigned to. The physician with a private practice normally has little occasion to know about the problems of these patients. He is basically restricted to the following: 1. Occasional help, concerning the psychical and physical adaptation phase, at the beginning of dialysis treatment. 2. The treatment of possible complications (effects of overhydration, disturbances in the electrolyte metabolism, cerebral damage) inclusive of shunt complications. The Treatment of other diseases which do not have to do with renal insufficiency, should only be carried out following clarification of the case, with or in direct cooperation with, the responsible dialysis center.