Medical decision making : an international journal of the Society for Medical Decision Making
-
Patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) may have quality-of-life (QOL) concerns that are not fully appreciated by their providers. The authors conducted focus groups with dialysis patients and dialysis professionals to determine whether this qualitative method would reveal differences between patients' and providers' views about: 1) domains of QOL that are affected by ESRD and dialysis; and 2) aspects of dialysis that affect QOL. ⋯ Although health professionals have a good understanding of patient concerns about the effects of ESRD and dialysis, the focus group discussions revealed a breadth and depth of QOL concerns that they may not fully appreciate.