A prospective study of adjustment to hemodialysis

Abstract

The study provided pilot data suggesting that hemodialysis patients' self-care self-efficacy and measures of adjustment change over time. Patients who had increased confidence in self-care strategies (self-efficacy) were associated with having more positive mood states, health status, and perceived adherence to fluid restrictions and less symptom distress. Interventions designed to increase patients' self-care self-efficacy may yield positive results. Nurses are in an excellent position to give efficacy enhancing feedback that may promote patients' adjustment.