The Impact of Falls: A Qualitative Study of the Experiences of People Receiving Haemodialysis

Hannah M. L. Young, Nicki Ruddock, Mary Harrison, Samantha Goodliffe, Courtney J. Lightfoot, Juliet Mayes, Andrew C. Nixon, Sharlene A. Greenwood, Simon Conroy, Sally J. Singh, James O. Burton, Alice C. Smith and Helen Eborall
Additional contact information
Hannah M. L. Young: Leicester Diabetes Centre, University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust, Leicester LE5 4PW, UK
Nicki Ruddock: John Walls Renal Unit, Leicester General Hospital, Leicester LE5 4PW, UK
Mary Harrison: Leicester Diabetes Centre, University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust, Leicester LE5 4PW, UK
Samantha Goodliffe: School of Health, Wellbeing and Social Care, The Open University, Milton Keynes MK7 6AA, UK
Courtney J. Lightfoot: Department of Health Sciences, University of Leicester, Leicester LE1 7RH, UK
Juliet Mayes: Department of Physiotherapy and Renal Medicine, King’s College Hospital, King’s College London, London SE5 9RS, UK
Andrew C. Nixon: Department of Renal Medicine, Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Preston PR2 9HT, UK
Sharlene A. Greenwood: Department of Physiotherapy and Renal Medicine, King’s College Hospital, King’s College London, London SE5 9RS, UK
Simon Conroy: Department of Health Sciences, University of Leicester, Leicester LE1 7RH, UK
Sally J. Singh: Centre for Exercise & Rehabilitation Science, Leicester Biomedical Research Unit, Leicester LE3 9QP, UK
James O. Burton: Department of Cardiovascular Sciences, University of Leicester, Leicester LE1 7RH, UK
Alice C. Smith: Department of Health Sciences, University of Leicester, Leicester LE1 7RH, UK
Helen Eborall: Usher Institute, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH8 9AG, UK

IJERPH, 2022, vol. 19, issue 7, 1-14

Abstract: The prevalence of falls is high in people receiving haemodialysis (HD). This study aimed to explore the experiences of people receiving HD who had fallen in the last six months. A qualitative study, informed by constructivist grounded theory, used semi-structured interviews in combination with falls diaries. Twenty-five adults (mean age of 69 ± 10 years, 13 female, 13 White British) receiving HD with a history of at least one fall in the last six months (median 3, IQR 2–4) participated. Data were organised within three themes: (a) participants’ perceptions of the cause of their fall(s): poor balance, weakness, and dizziness, exacerbated by environmental causes, (b) the consequences of the fall: injuries were disproportionate to the severity of the fall leading to loss of confidence, function and disruptions to HD, (c) reporting and coping with falls: most did not receive any specific care regarding falls. Those who attended falls services reported access barriers. In response, personal coping strategies included avoidance, vigilance, and resignation. These findings indicate that a greater focus on proactively identifying falls, comprehensive assessment, and timely access to appropriate falls prevention programmes is required to improve care and outcomes.

Keywords: frailty; falls; dialysis; multi-morbidity; qualitative; interviews; experience (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
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