Kidney disease requires patients assume many responsibilities to control their condition. A qualitative, exploratory study by Costantini and coworkers examined the self-management experiences of people with mild to moderate chronic kidney disease (CKD, Stages 1-3) to elicit participants' perceptions of health, kidney disease, and supports needed for self-management. Findings revealed a process of renegotiating life with chronic kidney disease, which encompassed Discovering Kidney Disease and Learning To Live With Kidney Disease. A number of themes were identified including searching for evidence, realizing kidney disease is forever, managing the illness, taking care of the self, and the need for disease-specific information.

WHAT THE STUDY MAY MEAN TO YOU AS A HEALTH CARE PROFESSIONAL: The findings indicate patients with early CKD want to self-manage their illness in collaboration with health care providers. People with early CKD need guidance and support from health professionals to successfully self-manage their condition. Nurses can provide such assistance.

WHAT THE STUDY MAY MEAN TO YOU AS A PATIENT: The study did a fine job of spelling out the views of patients with kidney disease. The aim now is to develop and implement self-management programs for you if you experience this condition. Your health care professional may know of programs available in your area for people with kidney disease. If one is not available, you might ask your physician or, as is more likely the case, nurses or other health care associates to help you acquire self-management skills and then monitor your progress in performing them. This will be a win/win situation for both you and your health care providers.

L Costantini et al. The self-management experience of people with mild to moderate chronic kidney disease. Nephrology Nursing Journal, 2008;35:147-155.