Patient, Nurse, and Physician Perspectives on Personalized, Incremental Hemodialysis

What is it about?

Incremental dialysis tailors treatments to meet the unique needs of each individual, offering a personalized approach to care. While this approach is widely accepted in peritoneal dialysis, its adoption in hemodialysis is limited. For patients opting for hemodialysis, incremental treatment involves starting with fewer sessions per week and gradually increasing them when clinical manifestations necessitate. Patients prefer this approach as it eases the transition into dialysis, allows them to adjust as best possible to a new lifestyle, and allows for better vascular access development, potentially reducing hospitalizations. Physicians play a vital role by preparing and empowering patients, building trust, and understanding their individual preferences. Patient-centered dialogues and avoiding stigmatizing labels are important for effective care. Challenges exist, but with patient education and shared decision-making, personalized hemodialysis can improve outcomes and empower patients. This shift towards patient-centered necessitates support from policymakers to reform reimbursement systems and incorporate mechanisms that accounting for shared decision-making and shared responsibility for treatment outcomes between patients and physicians.

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