The Phenomenology of Deciding About Hemodialysis Among Taiwanese

End-stage renal disease (ESRD) is a significant health problem and is often treated with hemodialysis. Researchers conducted a study among Taiwanese end-stage renal disease patients regarding their experiences in making the decision to undergo hemodialysis, revealing challenges for this demographic (Lin et al., 2005, p. 915). The study reportedly provided significant findings for the population.

As described in the study, the sampling was conducted using Colaizzi’s phenomenological method. A phenomenological approach is indicated, as the researchers sought to evaluate the common experiences of Taiwanese patients in order to gain insight into their collective treatment experiences (Lin et al., 2005, p. 915; Polit & Beck, 2012, p. 519). However, Colaizzi’s method also dictates that researchers return to study participants in order to validate the research findings (Polit & Beck, 2012, p. 519). In this study, the researchers were only able to return to one participant in order to validate the themes (Lin et al., 2005, p. 920). Given the limited access to patients, researchers may have considered an alternative phenomenological approach, such as one where researchers alone validate the results.

The sample size may not have been adequate, or appropriate, for the qualitative tradition of the study. The sample size was 12, comprised of six men and six women (Lin et al., 2005, p. 920). Although the purposeful selection of an equal number of men and women who could each describe their decision-making experiences yielded appropriate data, the sample size was very small (Line et al., 2005, p. 920). The study participants were also younger than the general population of ESRD patients (Line et al., 2005, p. 920). A larger sample size may have resulted in improved representativeness, avoiding bias (Polit & Beck, 2012, p. 362). The study also does not specifically state whether data saturation was achieved.

Lastly, the results of this study may be transferrable to other Eastern cultures. However, the opinions of the study participants, particularly as they related to the effectiveness of Western medicine and the selection of Chinese medicine as a first course of treatment, significantly limit the transferability of the findings. The study may have limited application for other cultural groups where strong family units are prevalent.

Given this analysis, researchers may wish to repeat the study using an alternative sampling plan and a larger sample size.

References

Lin, C. C., Lee, B. O., & Hicks, F. D. (2005). The Phenomenology of Deciding About Hemodialysis Among Taiwanese. Western Journal of Nursing Research, 27(7), 915-929.

Polit, D. F., & Beck, C. T. (2012). Resource manual for nursing research: generating and assessing evidence for nursing practice (9th ed.). Philadelphia: Wolters Kluwer Health/Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.