Table 3 Themes and sub-themes identified according to focus group characteristics
Themes | Sub-themes | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
|  | Males, <65 | Females, <65 | Males, ≥65 | Females, ≥65 |
Current health and perceptions of dialysis | unhealthy because of dialysis; mental & physical burden | healthy except for dialysis | healthy except for dialysis; thankful/fortunate | healthy except for dialysis; independent; thankful/fortunate |
Support while on hemodialysis | unsupported by friends & family; supportive of/from fellow patients; desire to appear normal | limited support from friends/family; supportive of/from fellow patients | support from friends/family; supportive of/from fellow patients | support from friends/ family; supportive of/from fellow patients |
Interactions with Medical Professionals | inadequate/uninformative; control-seeking; self-education | inadequate/uninformative; control-seeking; self-education | inadequate/uninformative; control-seeking; self-education | inadequate/uninformative; control-seeking; self-education |
Concerns about KT | lack of knowledge; pill burden; fear of surgery; fear for donors | lack of knowledge; pill burden; fear of surgery; fear for donors | lack of knowledge; pill burden; fear of surgery; fear for donors; older age | lack of knowledge; pill burden; fear of surgery; fear for donors; older age |