Assessing patient satisfaction with hemodialysis and peritoneal dialysis care and associated factors in Iran

Purpose: With the increasing demand for dialysis, there is a growing emphasis on patient-centered care. This study investigated patients' satisfaction levels with peritoneal dialysis (PD) and hemodialysis (HD) care in Iran.

Methods: A cross-sectional multicenter study was conducted among 346 patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) covered by the Iran Health Insurance Organization who received dialysis services from October to December 2022 across the country. Data were gathered using a self-made questionnaire through telephone interviews. Data analysis included descriptive statistics, t tests, ANOVA, and linear logistic regression using R software.

Results: Patients reported high satisfaction with doctors and nurses, health care facilities, and costs. PD patients had higher overall satisfaction (P < 0.001) and were more satisfied with costs (P < 0.001), while HD patients reported greater satisfaction with doctor and nurse behavior (P = 0.012). Significant factors associated with satisfaction included marital status (P = 0.012), insurance coverage duration (P = 0.027), dialysis type (P < 0.001), and time to dialysis initiation (P = 0.027). Doctor and nurse behavior had the greatest impact on satisfaction (P < 0.001).

Conclusion: While patients were generally satisfied with the care provided, the findings revealed areas for improvement, particularly regarding the availability of medical centers and costs among dialysis patients. Focusing on patient education, communication, and supportive insurance policies has the potential to significantly enhance patient satisfaction and improve quality of life for dialysis patients.