Family members of patients on hemodialysis: living with chronical health condition

Abstract

The objective was to Learn how family members acknowledge their role in the treatment of patients who are submitted to hemodialysis and while subjects how they visualize their social participation. Exploratory, descriptive investigation of qualitative nature. A semi structured interview was used as data collection and the analysis of data was made through thematic analysis. The family members stated that they are overloaded with care due to the fragility of the care net. Regarding the institution they found diffi culties concerning necessary material resources and the lack of comfort to wait for the patient while on hemodialysis. The treatment staff could guarantee that family members had greater participation in the treatment site, given that they spend long periods of their lives coming to this place, and also allow the family to expand their solidary bonds through the insertion of other family members and the social support of the community.