Perceptions of Mhealth Technology Use by Patients Under Dialytic Treatment

Abstract

Objective: To understand the perceptions of mobile health technology use in adherence to the treatment of patients with chronic kidney disease under hemodialysis. Method: This is a descriptive study, with a qualitative approach, carried out in a reference hemodialysis clinic in the city of Juazeiro, Bahia, Brazil. Patients with chronic kidney disease under hemodialysis who used the Renal Health application between February and October 2022 were included in the study. The data was analyzed using the content analysis method. Results: A total of 12 patients were interviewed, the majority of whom were male, with an average age of 35.3 (±9.7) years and an average of 2.7 (±1.5) years of hemodialysis. After analyzing the content, two thematic categories emerged: “Support from mHealth technology in treatment management” and “Suggestions for improving the application”, in which patients describe how the application is practical, favors the storage of information related to treatment, such as weight, water intake and medication taking times. In addition to generating graphs of the exams carried out monthly, it provides strategies that can promote disease self-management and consequently better adherence to treatment. Conclusion: The Renal Health application proved to be a useful tool capable of enhancing knowledge about chronic kidney disease and helping patients better manage their diet, fluid control and taking prescribed medications.