Patients' and caregivers' perspectives on access to kidney replacement therapy in rural communities: systematic review of qualitative studies.

ABSTRACT:

Objective

Patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) requiring kidney replacement therapy (KRT) in rural communities encounter many barriers in accessing equitable care and have worse outcomes compared with patients in urban areas. This study aims to describe the perspectives of patients and caregivers on access to KRT in rural communities to inform strategies to maximise access to quality care, and thereby reduce disadvantage, inequity and improve health outcomes.

Setting

18 studies (n=593 participants) conducted across eight countries (Australia, Canada, the UK, New Zealand, Ghana, the USA, Tanzania and India).

Results

We identified five themes: uncertainty in navigating healthcare services (with subthemes of struggling to absorb information, without familiarity and

SUBMITTER: Scholes-Robertson NJ 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7513603 | biostudies-literature | 2020 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature