Lived experiences of Thai patients with end-stage kidney disease receiving continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis: A phenomenology study

Introduction There is an increasing number of patients with end-stage kidney disease (ESKD) receiving continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD) in Thailand. Peritoneal dialysis (PD)-related peritonitis is one of the main complications of PD. There are more cases of peritonitis in Thailand compared to other countries. The reason for this is unknown; however, patient experience with PD may be a contributing factor. The paucity of evidence discussing the lived experience of adults receiving PD in Thailand supports the need for research to inform best practices. Purpose The purpose of this study was to explore the lived experiences of Thai patients with ESKD receiving CAPD. Method A hermeneutic phenomenological method proposed by van Manen guided the data collection. Results Several themes emerged from the data. The results indicated that people receiving CAPD experienced physical, psychological and emotional challenges related to their health condition and the complexity of PD. Conclusion The findings from this study concluded that Thai adults receiving CAPD experience many challenges. More insight into the physical, psychological and emotional aspects of CAPD can support healthcare providers as they collaborate with patients and families to discover person-centred strategies. Taking a person-centred approach in this population may help to reduce PD-related complications.