Patients' perspectives of factors affecting modality selection: A NationalKidney Foundation patient survey

The National Kidney Foundation undertook a survey of individuals with chron ic renal failure to assess factors that may have influenced their treatment selection. Areas examined included demographic data, patient education, mo vement between modalities, patient satisfaction with treatment, and sense o f well-being. The results point to a need for additional patient education and assurance that every ESRD patient is informed about all treatment optio ns that are not medically contraindicated. There is an additional need for enhanced treatment decision making that involves both the patient and the n ephrologist. Respondents were highly satisfied with their current treatment modality although 17% had previously changed treatment owing to personal d issatisfaction. Center hemodialysis patients identified staff performance o f treatment and dialyzing only 3 times weekly as the main advantages of tha t modality. Those on peritoneal dialysis identified its flexibility that al lows control over one's personal schedule as important. Transplant recipien ts stressed the importance of living a more normal life than that afforded by dialysis. Most respondents expressed a positive sense of well-being. Whi le transplant patients expressed a higher sense of well-being than individu als on dialysis, it is important to note that approximately 70% of those on dialysis reported a positive sense of well-being. (C) 2000 by the National Kidney Foundation, Inc.