Fistula Care and Mobile Health Applications in Hemodialysis Patients

Chronic renal failure is a clinical picture characterized by chronic, progressive deterioration in metabolic and endocrine functions, in adjusting the fluid-electrolyte balance of the kidney as a result of a decrease in glomerular filtration value. When the glomerular filtration value decreases to 5-10 ml/minute, end-stage renal failure develops. Renal replacement therapies such as hemodialysis, peritoneal dialysis and kidney transplantation are applied in patients diagnosed with end-stage renal disease. Renal replacement therapies are life-sparing treatments and the most common method applied is hemodialysis. The success of dialysis, which is a highly effective medical technology, in saving lives is indisputable. Arteriovenous fistula opened for hemodialysis is the lifeline of sick individuals, and hemodialysis is a critical treatment method based on the vascular access pathway. In this context, compliance with treatment is of vital importance in individuals with a diagnosis of end-stage renal disease, and lack of vascular access can reduce its efficiency in a short time. Studies show that only 25% of hemodialysis patients can take care of themselves.

The inadequacy of the individual's knowledge and behaviors of arteriovenous fistula care impairs adherence to treatment, reduces the effectiveness of the treatment and increases the cost. Interventions that encourage changes in health behavior and encourage individuals to change their lifestyle should be integrated into daily life, and there should be support for when and where individuals can make decisions that may affect their health. Mobile technologies, such as smart mobile phones, that individuals regularly carry, can be an effective platform for encouraging health behavior change, especially since they are likely to be with the individual when they need it.

In recent years, applications designed specifically to encourage physical activity in the field of mobile technology have gained momentum. As a result of the literature research, no examples of mobile health applications developed with educational content on fistula care, which hemodialysis-dependent patients can reach at any time and place, have not been found. Based on this, it was planned to increase the knowledge level of arteriovenous fistula care and examine their self-care behaviors and their adaptation to the disease with the mobile application developed with a focus on education on fistula care, which can be used independently by machine-dependent hemodialysis patients. In this context, it is aimed that dialysis patients will benefit especially in arteriovenous fistula care applications, thanks to the ever-increasing mobile applications in daily use with the developing technology. It is thought that the use of these technology-based trainings will be more comfortable, useful and encouraging for their own self-care. It is planned to be a guide for healthcare professionals.