Making decisions about dialysis options: an audit of patients' views

This paper describes the evaluation and audit of 297 patients referred for pre-dialysis education. Education and support for patients include home visits, visits to the dialysis units, written, visual and audio educational material and patient information day. There was a 50-50 split between patients opting for haemodialysis and peritoneal, while in circumstances where patients presented acutely or at end-stage, the split was 80-20 in favour of haemodialysis. Patients views were sought by postal questionnaire (Over 75% of patient satisfaction with information), areas of least satisfaction concerned adaptation to everyday life on dialysis, and potential problems and complications of treatment. Evaluation has been favourable. Recommendations include changes in the format and management of the education programme and in particular with regard to patients that present at end-stage.