Perceived Health Status of Hemodialysis Patients in Makati City: Basis for Patient-Centered Health Management Program

Abstract

Perceived Health Status reflects the overall perception of their health, including physical, psychological, emotional, and social dimensions. Watson’s model was used in this study. It is focused on both health promotion and disease treatment. Caring is at the core of the nursing profession, and patients and their health status must be cared for as a dynamic body and mind unit. The Kidney Disease Health status was adapted and partially modified. The respondents were hemodialysis patients undergoing regular treatment in selected dialysis centers in Makati and a total of 71 respondents participated in the study. Perceived health status was examined in terms of physical, psychological, social, and functional dimensions.

Based on the findings, a Health Management Program was created to improve the health status of hemodialysis patients. Overall, a Health Management Program will help promote and improve the health status of hemodialysis patients, since hemodialysis alone does not determine their Health status. Hemodialysis impacts the patient's response. Several factors, including individual features, prior experience, and coping techniques, influence this. Each factor influences health status distinctly.

Given the profile results and the extent of the effect on health status among hemodialysis patients, the medical institution must verify the areas that pose challenges for medical staff and personnel in providing quality healthcare to hemodialysis patients. These patients and their caregivers are at-risk groups for developing physical and psychological symptoms. To uplift the healthcare of patients, dialysis staff should encourage them to be as independent as possible. This should be extended to dialysis staff, as their experiences will be one of the bases of patients coping with their kidney disease, for it is concluded that younger patients with CKD have a higher level of physical functioning as compared to the older patients. Furthermore, CKD patients with a higher health status have a lower level of depression. It was best to consider using other medical evaluation tools to further evaluate Hemodialysis Patients in search of a better and faster health status improvement. A replicate study can be performed by future researchers in their locality (department) to further verify the profile's result and the extent of the effect on the health status among hemodialysis patients. The importance and the necessity of socialization, education, and psychological support for patients, their families, and their caregivers, according to the needs of patients. The promotion of health programs concerning patients with chronic kidney disease should enhance their confidence and focus on mental health issues that concern them (i.e., depression, anxiety, and suicide ideation). Counseling programs would benefit dialysis staff since they would raise their awareness and promote their biopsychosocial approach toward patients. The proposed health management program may be implemented in the future.