The purpose of this study is to get a better understanding of the patient’s experience of starting dialysis. The aim is to see if the preparation and information they receive during the lead up to going on dialysis was beneficial or if there were any aspects that could be developed further. The study will involve three phases: The first phase involves a review of the scientific literature around the transition to dialysis to see what other research has shown. The second phase has two elements. The first element is concerned with looking at the usual journey that a patient has when they have deteriorating renal function. We will be examining anonymised records of a patient’s usual follow up through a chronic kidney disease (CKD) clinic for details including patterns of attendance, education provided and any physical preparation for dialysis such as a fistula being created and whether they want haemodialysis or peritoneal dialysis. The second element involves speaking to patients who have started dialysis in the past year and asking them what their experiences have been. Patients who have come through the CKD clinic as well as those that have started dialysis unexpectedly following an illness/event will be interviewed. The third phase of the study will involve looking at the results of the other two phases and merging the results so that we have a complete picture of the patient’s journey to dialysis and their experience of starting treatment: this will help identify necessary changes for future patients.
