Effect of Educational Nursing Guidelines on Self management and Health Related Quality of Life for Hemodialysis Patients

Chronic kidney disease is the biggest problem in health care today, and the primary replacement therapy, hemodialysis, has a severe impact on both self‑management and quality of life. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of educational nursing guidelines on self‑management and health‑related quality of life for hemodialysis patients. Materials and Methods: A quasi‑experimental design was used. A convenience sample of 100 hemodialysis patients in the hemodialysis unit at Ismailia General Hospital, 50 patients for the study and 50 patients for the control groups. Data were collected using a patient demographic information questionnaire, hemodialysis self‑management scale, and survey instrument on kidney disease quality of life 36‑item (KDQOL‑36). The intervention was conducted over 12 weeks in five sessions, from implementing the guidelines to the post‑test phase. The control group received the usual care. SPSS version 23, descriptive statistics, and inferential statistics like independent t‑test and Pearson Chi‑square test were used. Results: Regarding self‑management dimensions, a statistically significant difference was found between the study and control group regarding problem‑solving and communications, fluid control, diet, self‑advocacy, and emotional control with p 0.001, and effect size 5.89,4.99, 5.06, and 4.54, respectively. Regarding the quality of life domains, a statistically significant difference was found between the study and control group regarding physical functioning, mental functioning, the burden of kidney disease, management of symptoms, and kidney disease effect with p 0.001 and the effect size 9.39, 6.07, 1.86, 7.65, and 6.96, respectively. Conclusions: Educational guidelines are effective for improving self‑management and quality of life.