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You Cannot Choose Your Family: Sociological Ambivalence in the Hemodialysis Unit.

Wilson, Patricia M., Reston, J.R., Bieraugel, R., Da Silva Gane, M., Wellsted, D., Offredy, M., Farrington, K. (2015) You Cannot Choose Your Family: Sociological Ambivalence in the Hemodialysis Unit. Qualitative Health Research, 25 (1). pp. 27-39. ISSN 1049-7323. E-ISSN 1552-7557. (doi:10.1177/1049732314549030) (KAR id:42026)

Abstract

Living with end-stage renal disease is challenging and requires a great deal of self-management, but little is known about the experiences of patients and staff around the subject. We held six focus groups in three hemodialysis units, each unit hosting 1 staff and 1 patient focus group. A total of 15 staff members and 15 patients participated. We employed thematic analysis using a priori and emerging codes. Five key themes emerged: challenges, enablers, complex balancing acts, good patient/bad patient, and the hemodialysis unit as a family. We explored the family metaphor further through the work of Bourdieu, but concluded that relationships in the hemodialysis unit most closely fit the concept of sociological ambivalence. We present an explanatory framework around inherent tensions characterizing relationships within the hemodialysis unit and highlight implications for facilitating self-management and developing collaborative approaches to care.

Item Type: Article
DOI/Identification number: 10.1177/1049732314549030
Uncontrolled keywords: focus groups; health care, culture of; nephrology; participatory action research (PAR); relationships, health care; selfcare; sociology
Subjects: H Social Sciences > HQ The family. Marriage. Women
R Medicine > RZ Other systems of medicine
Divisions: Divisions > Division for the Study of Law, Society and Social Justice > School of Social Policy, Sociology and Social Research
Depositing User: Patricia Wilson
Date Deposited: 30 Jul 2014 12:50 UTC
Last Modified: 16 Feb 2021 12:54 UTC
Resource URI: https://kar.kent.ac.uk/id/eprint/42026 (The current URI for this page, for reference purposes)

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