Background/Aims: In 2015, approximately 70,000 patients with end-stage renal disease were treated chronically with dialysis in Germany. However, there is only sparse information regarding subjective appreciation of the different aspects of extracorporeal renal replacement therapies. This study was performed to gain insight into the needs and appreciation of services in dialysis centers in Germany including the views not only of the patients but also of the caregivers, physicians, and nurses. Methods: A cross-sectional written voluntary questionnaire survey based on the international RAND Kidney Disease Quality of Life Short Form (version 1.3) comprising 510 adult dialysis patients, 274 caregivers, 29 physicians, and 60 nurses in 30 dialysis centers across Germany. Results: Although patients were mostly satisfied with present treatment options, room for improvement exists. Patients were less critical of services than doctors and nurses. Factors such as trustworthy contact with staff at the centers as well as information exchange with other patients and among caregivers play a significant role in the patients’ perception of a high-quality dialysis treatment facility. Therefore, continued cost saving, in particular regarding personnel, may subjectively counteract the objective technical improvements of dialysis. Conclusions: High-quality technical standards are essential for successful dialysis therapy; however, additionally, we recommend an array of communicative and social tools employed by all stakeholders to convey and exchange information and also support subjective well-being. This survey represents one of the largest evaluations to date. The data are also of potential international relevance for non-German health management systems.

Keywords:
Chronic kidney disease, Quality of life, Patient-centered care, Renal replacement therapy, Caregivers
This content is only available via PDF.
© 2019 The Author(s) Published by S. Karger AG, Basel
2019
Open Access License / Drug Dosage / Disclaimer
This article is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License (CC BY-NC-ND). Usage and distribution for commercial purposes as well as any distribution of modified material requires written permission. Drug Dosage: The authors and the publisher have exerted every effort to ensure that drug selection and dosage set forth in this text are in accord with current recommendations and practice at the time of publication. However, in view of ongoing research, changes in government regulations, and the constant flow of information relating to drug therapy and drug reactions, the reader is urged to check the package insert for each drug for any changes in indications and dosage and for added warnings and precautions. This is particularly important when the recommended agent is a new and/or infrequently employed drug. Disclaimer: The statements, opinions and data contained in this publication are solely those of the individual authors and contributors and not of the publishers and the editor(s). The appearance of advertisements or/and product references in the publication is not a warranty, endorsement, or approval of the products or services advertised or of their effectiveness, quality or safety. The publisher and the editor(s) disclaim responsibility for any injury to persons or property resulting from any ideas, methods, instructions or products referred to in the content or advertisements.
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License .
Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives