Original Research Article
Year: 2018 | Month: October | Volume: 8 | Issue: 10 | Pages: 209-217
Hemodialysis Patients’ Lived Experience of Sleep Disturbances: A Qualitative Study
Mrs. Rohini. T1, Dr. Punitha. V. Ezhilarasu2
1Professor, Samaritan College of Nursing, Pazhanganad, Kizhakkambalam (P.O), Ernakulam Dt. Kerala, India
2Consultant, Indian Nursing Council and Former Dean, College of Nursing, CMC, Vellore, India
Corresponding Author: Mrs. Rohini. T
ABSTRACT
Sleep disturbances are highly prevalent in patients undergoing Hemodialysis. The aim of the present study was to explore the lived experience of sleep disturbances among patients undergoing Hemodialysis. The study used an interpretive hermeneutic phenomenology based on Van Manen’s method. The sample included seven patients undergoing Hemodialysis in two selected hospitals at Ernakulam district in Kerala. They were recruited by purposive sampling. Data were collected using semi-structured interviews. The thematic analysis followed the methods as suggested by Max Van Manen for isolating themes, and four themes emerged. They were accompanying discomforts (emotional and physical discomforts), abounding thoughts (ruined life thoughts and disturbing thoughts), ongoing coping with difficult hours (measures to sleep, passing the difficult hours and spouse support) and interrupted sleep. The findings illustrate the meaning of sleep disturbances as experienced by patients undergoing hemodialysis in an Indian context and highlight the need for its management. The generated knowledge can be used by health professionals to develop and test psychosocial interventions to mitigate sleep disturbances in Hemodialysis patients.
Key words: Lived Experience, sleep disturbances, Hemodialysis