Family Experience in Treating Children with Chronic Renal Failure Undergoing Hemodialysis Therapy

Objective: Children who enter phase 5 of chronic renal failure need hemodialysis as a therapy. In undergoing hemodialysis, children experience various physical and psychosocial problems. Parents, as caregivers, are required to be at their children's side to overcome these problems. This study aimed to explore the experience of families in caring for children with chronic renal failure undergoing hemodialysis therapy.

Method: This research method used a descriptive phenomenological approach with in-depth interviews of seven participants. Participants were families who had a child with chronic kidney failure undergoing hemodialysis in a top referral hospital in Jakarta for at least one month. Data were analyzed using the Colaizzi technique.

Results: Five themes were identified: a) families' response to child care; b) families' coping strategies; c) the impact of child care for families; d) family support, and e) families' perceptions of changes in children undergoing hemodialysis therapy. These five themes highlighted how hemodialysis for children affected family life.

Conclusions: Family experiences in treating children with chronic renal failure influence their life in economical, physical, psychological, intellectual, and religious ways.