Bias in assessment of patients on chronic dialysis

Abstract This study concentrated on nephrologist's reactions to chronic haemodialysis. High aggrement was found (between seven nephrologist's in charge of dialysis units) on the criteria for food patient behaviour and condition. These criteria (expectations) to some extent indicate the nephrologist's inability to regard the treatment as unpleasant of frightening. It was found that some of the nephrologists assess how well a patient is doing mostly by his compliance to the diet, functioning at work and emotional condition. Other nephrologists give greater importance to other facets of the patient's condition. It was found that the majority of the nephrologists (five) overestimate their patients' adjustment e.g. use denial. A tendency was found for patients to do better in units where less denial was used by the nephrologist in charge. It was suggested that nephrologists use denial because dialysis is stressful for them. It was further suggested that this denial has a negative influence on patients' adjustment.