Effect of family centered empowerment model on hemodialysis patients and their caregivers

Abstract

Background: Hemodialysis is a prolonged process that affects all life aspects of the patient and his family including the physiological, psychological, functional ability, and lifestyle changes. The aim of this study was as to evaluate the effect of family centered empowerment model on hemodialysis patients and their caregivers.

Methods: Quasi experimental design was used in this study. This study was conducted in dialysis unit in Tanta University Hospital. Fifty hemodialysis patients and fifty caregivers attending the previous setting were included in the study. Tools of the study: Five tools were used in this study; Pre-test data were obtained by using two socio-demographic data form for patients and caregivers and three questionnaires tools for self-efficacy and burden level. Empowerment intervention was given to the studied subjects then post test data was collected.

Results: The majority of the studied subjects obtained low score level of self-efficacy in relation to (autonomy, self-integration, problem solving ability and seeking social support category) pre-empowerment intervention, while post empowerment, none of them fall in the same category and more than two thirds of them had high score regarding level of autonomy, level of self integration and problem solving ability. Most caregivers have low self efficacy pre empowerment. While post empowerment, more than two thirds and nearly one third of them fall in moderate and high level respectively. All caregivers obtained severe burden level pre empowerment while post empowerment 66% falls in mild to moderate level.

Conclusions and recommendation: Empowerment of hemodialysis patients and their caregivers can assist them with the management of health-related problems and improve their self efficacy and decrease the burden level of the caregivers so the study recommended that before the beginning of dialysis therapy, health professionals should identify and explore patient needs and potential caregiver in the family of patient and established empowerment programs to prepare them for the task to be carried out, mainly in the initial phase of their activities.