Gallery Presentation International Positive Psychology Association 7th IPPA World Congress 2021

Identifying hemodialysis patients’ resources: a new perspective to improve patients’ wellbeing (#125)

Tanja Bellier-Teichmann 1 , Matteo Antonini 1 , Philippe Delmas 1
  1. Haute Ecole de la Source, Lausanne, VAUD, Switzerland

Background

Hemodialysis patients constitute a vulnerable population with considerable health needs and the frequent presence of symptoms such as depression or anxiety. An intervention has been implemented in Switzerland to reinforce the quality of relationship between hemodialysis patients and nurses. More specifically, resources of hemodialysis patients were explored with the use of a new self-assessment tool called AERES. This novel self-assessment resources instrument measures 31 domains under three dimensions: personal characteristics/qualities, hobbies/passions, and social/environmental resources. The presence as well as the degree of contribution to recovery of each of these resources have been evaluated. The psychometric qualities of this instrument have been demonstrated (Bellier-Teichmann et al., 2018, 2017, 2015).

Hypotheses/Research Questions

The aim of this qualitative study was to explore hemodialysis nurse perceptions of the use of a novel resources instrument: AERES.

Sample Characteristics and Sample Size

Sixteen hemodialysis nurses were recruited in six hospitals in French-speaking Switzerland. The sample included fourteen women and two men, their mean age was 44 years (SD = 8.8) and their mean years of experience working in HD was 11 (SD = 6.8).

Design

A consensual qualitative research method was used to analyze the data (Hill et al., 2015, 2012, 2005, 1997). The sixteen nurses were interviewed using a semi-structured interview after assessing patients’ resources.

Results

Seven domains and thirteen categories emerged from the interviews. Results showed that the resources instrument was easy to administer and beneficial to patients and health-professionals. Patient wellbeing became a priority for the nurses in their clinical practice and new interventions centered on patient resources were undertaken. Quality of patient care was improved. Nurses perceived this positive psychology instrument as a means of creating a positive relationship with patients, supporting them emotionally and improving their wellbeing.

Scientific Contribution

Assessing the resources of this vulnerable population can provide health-professionals with a powerful tool to understand patient intact internal and external resources, which can be used to foster their wellbeing.

 

 

  1. Bellier-Teichmann, T., Golay, P., & Pomini, V. (2018). Which are your resources and how do they contribute to your recovery? A new strengths assessment within a clinical population. European Revue of Applied Psychology, 68(6), 215–226.
  2. Bellier-Teichmann, T., Fusi, M., & Pomini, V. (2017). Assessing patients’ strengths: A recovery-centered perspective. Pratiques psychologiques, 23, 41–59. doi:10.1016/j.prps.2016.03.004
  3. Bellier-Teichmann, T., & Pomini, V. (2015). Evolving from clinical to positive psychology: Understanding and measuring patients’ strengths. A pilot study. Journal of Contemporary Psychotherapy, 45, 99–108. doi:10.1007/s10879-014-9287-7
  4. Hill, C. E. (2015). Consensual qualitative research (CQR): Methods for conducting psychotherapy research. In O. C. G. Gelo, A. Pritz, & B. Rieken (Eds.), Psychotherapy research: Foundations, process, and outcome (p. 485–499). Springer-Verlag Publishing. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-7091-1382-0_23
  5. Hill, C. E. (Ed.). (2012). Consensual qualitative research: A practical resource for investigating social science phenomena. Washington, DC: American Psychological Association.
  6. Hill, C. E., Knox, S., Thompson, B. J., Williams, E. N., Hess, S. A., & Ladany, N. (2005). Consensual qualitative research: An update. Journal of Counseling Psychology, 52, 196–205. doi:10.1037/0022-0167.52.2.196
  7. Hill, C. E., Thompson, B. J., & Williams, E. N. (1997). A guide to conducting consensual qualitative research. The Counseling Psychologist, 25, 517–572
  • Keywords: Positive emotions, Strengths