A Qualitative Exploration of Healthcare Professionals' Perspectives on Haemodialysis Needling to Improve Patient Experience

What this Trial Is About

This research aims to explore the perspectives of healthcare professionals, including registered nurses and healthcare assistants, on the needling experience in haemodialysis for patients with End-Stage Renal Disease (ESRD). It focuses on understanding the challenges faced during needling, which is essential for maintaining vascular access and involves frequent painful procedures. The study highlights the emotional and physical demands on staff and patients, emphasizing the need for improved training and support to enhance the overall patient experience in dialysis units. The study uses a qualitative exploratory design involving semi-structured interviews with 12 to 16 healthcare professionals who perform needling procedures in renal dialysis units at East and North Hertfordshire NHS Trust. Data collected will be analyzed using thematic analysis to identify key themes related to technical skills, communication barriers, and patient-related factors. The research period is planned to run for 10 months, with the aim of informing targeted training programs based on the insights gathered. Participants will be asked to share their experiences during interviews, which will capture in-depth information about the needling process and its challenges. The study focuses on healthcare professionals' views to identify improvement areas and enhance patient care. The main outcome measured is the perspectives of these professionals on needling, aiming to improve training and patient experiences. The study does not involve treatment but seeks to understand and support healthcare staff in their roles through this observational approach.

Behind the Needle: Healthcare Professionals' Perspectives on HD Needling