The prevalence of depression in patients on Haemodialysis treatment : a clinical social work perspective

This study attempts to identify the incidence of depression in patients on haemodialysis treatment and the consequences it has for clinical social work intervention. The awareness of depression in haemodialysis arose out of the researcher's practice as a social worker in the renal unit at Groote Schuur Hospital. The study adopts a quantitative-descriptive research design. Eighteen patients currently on haemodialysis treatment were sampled and interviewed. A standardized scale, The Hospital Anxiety and Depression (HAD) Scale, was used to obtain the data. The data was analysed through use of the scoring method provided with the scale and from which inferences were made. The results conclude that depression is not prevalent in patients on haemodialysis treatment. However the incidence is significant enough to consider the implications it has for clinical social work intervention and recommendations are made in this regard.

Grantor dc:publisher.institution

Department of Social Development

Year dc:date.issued

1997

Author dc:creator

• De Vos, Andre Cecil

Advisor dc:contributor.advisor

• Smith, Patrick

Language dc:language.iso

eng

Handle dc:identifier.uri

http://hdl.handle.net/11427/17206

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:open.uct.ac.za:11427/17206