Participants completed Ferrans & Powers Quality of Life Index Dialysis Version III in which they were asked to rate “satisfaction” and “importance” of 68 items that measure overall quality of life.
Participants also completed a demographic survey which ascertained age, race/ ethnicity, education, employment, marital status and number of chronic illnesses. Five scores were produced by Ferrans & Powers Quality of Life Index Dialysis Version III that measured quality of life overall and quality of life in four domains: health and functioning, social and economic, psychological/ spiritual, and family. The possible range of scores for each subscale was 0 to 30. Results showed a mean overall quality of life score of 23.2 (SD 4.0). Findings suggest that patients receiving hemodialysis as treatment for End Stage Renal Disease have a fair perception of their quality of life. This study provides healthcare providers with ways to identify the patient’s quality of life as well as to plan and implement strategies to help enhance it.