Self-compassion in patients undergoing haemodialysis: A qualitative study

Background: Patients undergoing haemodialysis require long-term treatment and suffer from physical limitations and emotional distress due to restrictions in daily life, such as food and fluid restrictions, which can lead to self-criticism and depression. To address these issues, the concept of self-compassion, which is important for patients undergoing haemodialysis, has gained attention.

Objective: This study aimed to identify self-compassion in patients undergoing haemodialysis.

Design: This is an interview-based qualitative study.

Participants: Participants were recruited from a regional general hospital in Japan between August and September 2022. They were ≥18-year-old patients with diabetes and chronic kidney disease and visited the hospital for maintenance haemodialysis. Fifteen patients who agreed to participate in the study were interviewed.

Approach: Semistructured interviews were conducted, and each interview was recorded and transcribed verbatim. Data analysis was conducted using reflecxive thematic analysis (TA).

Findings: Thematic analysis generated three themes-acceptance, affirmation, and reinvention-from the seven subthemes. A different concept, "reinvention", has been generated in this study. Regarding the sequential nature of the themes, it was predicted that they would proceed in the order of acceptance, affirmation, and reinvention, moving back and forth through these stages.

Conclusions: It can be said that nurses can support patients undergoing haemodialysis by providing feedback to them about their thoughts and feelings, which were captured based on the themes and subthemes of this study, to promote the patients' awareness and increase their self-compassion.