Effect of Educational Nursing Guidelines on Self-management and Health-Related Quality of Life for Hemodialysis Patients

Background: Chronic kidney disease is the biggest problem in health care today, and the primary replacement therapy, hemodialysis, has a severe impact on both self-management and quality of life. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of educational nursing guidelines on self-management and health-related quality of life for hemodialysis patients. Materials and Methods: A quasi-experimental design was used. A convenience sample of 100 hemodialysis patients in the hemodialysis unit at Ismailia General Hospital, 50 patients for the study and 50 patients for the control groups. Data were collected using a patient demographic information questionnaire, hemodialysis self-management scale, and survey instrument on kidney disease quality of life 36-item (KDQOL-36). The intervention was conducted over 12 weeks in five sessions, from implementing the guidelines to the post-test phase. The control group received the usual care. SPSS version 23, descriptive statistics, and inferential statistics like independent t-test and Pearson Chi-square test were used. Results: Regarding self-management dimensions, a statistically significant difference was found between the study and control group regarding problem-solving and communications, fluid control, diet, self-advocacy, and emotional control with p < 0.001, and effect size 5.89,4.99, 5.06, and 4.54, respectively. Regarding the quality of life domains, a statistically significant difference was found between the study and control group regarding physical functioning, mental functioning, the burden of kidney disease, management of symptoms, and kidney disease effect with p < 0.001 and the effect size 9.39, 6.07, 1.86, 7.65, and 6.96, respectively. Conclusions: Educational guidelines are effective for improving self-management and quality of life.