Perspectives of Significant Others in Dialysis Modality Decision-Making

Abstract

Objective: To understand the experiences of the dialysis decision-making process from the perspective of the significant other, specifically their role, influencing factors and the supportive interventions of the interprofessional team. Method: An interpretive description qualitative study was conducted using individual interviews and results were triangulated with decisional conflict and decisional regret quantitative results. Results: Ten participants described their role as advocating, providing a positive outlook, ‘being with’ the patient, learning together, sharing opinions, and communicating about values, preferences, feasibility of options. Environmental factors that influenced decision making included unexpected life change, choosing life, and personal health problems. Factors related to implementation of the treatment modality decision were unanticipated events, relationship changes, recreational travel changes, and the caregiver role. Nursing interventions are required to realign treatment expectations. Relevance: Significant others have an important role in supporting the patient making the dialysis decision and are often instrumental in implementing the decision.