Empowering patients to take
ownership of their health
Having a chronic illness like kidney failure, patients need to go on lifelong dialysis to sustain their lives,
and it is a life-changing experience at multiple levels. They are overwhelmed with sadness, anger, anxiety,
depression and financial difficulties due to job loss. This is coupled with the disruptions to their daily
lives, time and physical toll that dialysis treatments have on them.
To help patients overcome
these barriers, many studies have shown that self-care is an imperative tool in engaging and empowering
patients, especially in the long-term care and chronic diseases setting, which results in better treatment
outcomes and quality of life. Once patients are allowed to make autonomous decisions and embrace proactive
self-care behaviours such as monitoring their conditions independently, following doctor’s prescription and
advice, eating right and exercising when appropriate, their treatment outcomes are likely to improve.
As such, NKF has a comprehensive renal rehabilitation programme that focuses on the 5Es, which is
an essential part in empowering dialysis patients to take ownership of their long-term dialysis care journey
and manage their dialysis treatment and its associated complications.
Through centre-based activities, patients develop a strong culture and “kampung spirit” through social interactions. Patient buddies are encouraged to take the lead and influence other patients to do the same.
The more patients learn about their illness and its treatment, the better they will be able to manage it.
Patients exercise regularly to get more energy and make their general health and outlook better.
Patients strive to keep their jobs to build their self-esteem, identity, independence and sense of accomplishment.
The outcome of the programme will be determined through the Kidney Disease Quality of Life (KDQOL) evaluation, which assesses patients’ quality of life before and after the programme.
Through this integrated approach in dialysis treatment and holistic care, dialysis patients are able to get back on their feet, lead fulfilling lives, contribute to families and the society.
