Table 1 Themes in nephrologist data for African American patient perceptions on chronic kidney disease

Chronic Kidney disease difficult to understand

When patient diagnosed with chronic kidney disease, they do not understand all aspects

7

Denial reaction to chronic kidney disease

When patient diagnosed with chronic kidney disease, they go into denial

6

Shock reaction to chronic kidney disease

When patient diagnosed with chronic kidney disease, they go into shock

6

Restricted in lifestyle due to chronic kidney disease

When patient diagnosed with chronic kidney disease, they realize they will have restricted lifestyle

4

Death is a risk from chronic kidney disease

When patient diagnosed with chronic kidney disease, they realize that death is a risk

3

Fear reaction to chronic kidney disease

When patient diagnosed with chronic kidney disease, they have fear

2

No reaction to chronic kidney disease

When patient diagnosed with chronic kidney disease, they have no reaction

1

Number of occurrences

Af Am have more experiences

African Americans have more experiences with chronic kidney disease

5

Af Am have more chronic kidney disease

African Americans have higher prevalence of chronic kidney disease

4

Af Am see conditions as out of control

African Americans see effects of chronic kidney disease as out of their control

2

Af Am have more diabetes

African Americans have higher prevalence of diabetes

2

Af Am have more high blood pressure

African Americans have higher prevalence of hypertension

2

Af Am ask less questions

African Americans ask less questions of their physicians

2

Caucasians ask more questions

Caucasians ask more questions of their physicians

2

Af Am trust in God

African Americans talk about trusting in God more to physicians

2

Af Am have less anxiety

African Americans have less anxiety relating to kidney disease

1

Number of occurrences

Fear of dialysis

Patient has fear of dialysis

17

Dialysis helps chronic kidney disease

Patient thinks that dialysis helps treat chronic kidney disease

3

Number of occurrences

Dialysis is a treatment for chronic kidney disease

Dialysis is a treatment for chronic kidney disease

7

Transplant is a treatment for chronic kidney disease

Transplant is a treatment for chronic kidney disease

5

Older home remedies as treatments for chronic kidney disease

Older home remedies are treatments for chronic kidney disease

4

Drinking water helps chronic kidney disease

Drinking water is a treatment for chronic kidney disease

2

Healthy diet helps chronic kidney disease

Healthy diet is a treatment for chronic kidney disease

1

Number of occurrences

Patient does not want treatment

Patient does not want chronic kidney disease treatment

12

Patient compliant with treatment

Patient is compliant with chronic kidney disease treatment

2

Number of occurrences

God helps situation

God can help the situation

6

God not responsible

God does not help situation but is not responsible for chronic kidney disease

3

God is in control

God does not help or hinder the situation but is in control of outcomes

2

Number of occurrences

Unsure of causes of chronic kidney disease

Patient is unsure of causes of chronic kidney disease

4

Blood pressure causes chronic kidney disease

Patient believes that hypertension causes chronic kidney disease

2

Diabetes causes chronic kidney disease

Patient believes that diabetes causes chronic kidney disease

2

Genetics causes chronic kidney disease

Patient believes that genetics causes chronic kidney disease

1

Too much protein causes chronic kidney disease

Patient believes that eating too much protein is a cause of chronic kidney disease

1

Poor diet causes chronic kidney disease

Patient believes that poor diet is a cause of chronic kidney disease

1

Number of occurrences

Experience gave information

Patient got information on chronic kidney disease from personal experiences with family members or career

4

Internet gave information

Patient got information on chronic kidney disease from the Internet

3

Number of occurrences

Patient not aware of treatment

Patient is non-compliant with treatment because unaware of what is available

2

Patient does not like treatment

Patient is non-compliant with treatment because they do not like the treatment

2

Handicap reason for non compliance

Patient is non-compliant with treatment because they are handicap

1

Lack of intelligence reason for non compliance

Patient is non-compliant with treatment because lacks basic intelligence for every-day life

1

God will treat

Patient is non-compliant with treatment because believes God will treat

1

Number of occurrences

No symptoms of chronic kidney disease

Patient has no symptoms for chronic kidney disease

3

Nausea is a sign of chronic kidney disease

Patient has nausea as a symptom of chronic kidney disease

1

Pain is a sign of chronic kidney disease

Patient has pain as a symptom of chronic kidney disease

1

Number of occurrences

Af Am have more chronic kidney disease

African Americans have higher prevalence of chronic kidney disease

3

Lower education level have more chronic kidney disease

Lower education population has higher prevalence of chronic kidney disease

2

Number of occurrences

Transplant is magic cure

Patient thinks that transplant is a magic cure for chronic kidney disease

2

Unsure of transplant

Patient is unsure of benefits of transplant in chronic kidney disease

1

Number of occurrences

Home dialysis intimidating to patients

Patients are intimidated at the thought of home dialysis

3

Number of occurrences

Lack of information

Patient does not have access to information

1