Introduction:

Hemodialysis (HD) can improve survival in patients with Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD), but it causes complications and negative physical effects, emotional changes and self-image that diminish the quality of life and determine the need for palliative care from the beginning of treatment.

Objective: To understand the palliative needs perceived by the nursing professional, patients on hemodialysis and by their main informal caregivers treated in a Renal Unit of the city of Bogotá - Colombia.

Material and Method:

Descriptive, phenomenological study. The data was collected through semi-structured in-depth interviews. Sixteen people were interviewed (6 patients, 5 main caregivers and 5 nurses). The sample size was determined by data saturation. The analysis was carried out using the method proposed by Colaizzi.

Results:

10 categories emerged: Perceptions about the disease; Support network and family interaction; Labor, economic and social limitations; Support network; Needs of coping with the person and caregiver; Interventions of the health team; Motivational factors to care; Changes in lifestyles; Generation of support networks and Life project.

Conclusion:

The impossibility of continuing with working life, studies and life project is the need of greater negative impact in terms of the quality of life of patients and family caregivers. Feelings of sadness, loneliness and low self-esteem are present in most patients and caregivers who require timely intervention by the interdisciplinary team.

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