Living with Renal Failure : Proceedings of a Multidisciplinary Symposium Held at the University of Stirling, 7–8 July, 1977

The management of chronic renal failure by dialysis and transplantation has now become an established form of treatment in many parts of the world. However, these forms of treatment have brought with them problems in relation to the selection of patients, economics, clinical problems such as hypertension, encephalopathy, anaemia and renal bone disease, and psychological and social problems. The management of haemodialysis has changed over the years with developments in dialysers, vascular access and the duration of dialysis. Although the overall survival from renal trans­ plantation has changed little in the past four or five years, there are hopes of improvements in relation to tissue typing and enhancement. Perhaps the most important aspect in the management of chronic renal failure is the multi-disciplinary approach. Nursing and medical staff work closely with dialysis technicians, engineers, dietitians, local authority per­ sonnel, social workers and with the relatives of the patients. The symposium was planned to draw together representatives from all disciplines involved in the care of patients with chronic renal failure. One of the most relevant sessions was that in which two patients with chronic renal failure described their experience. Front Matter....Pages i-xi Introduction....Pages 1-6 Front Matter....Pages 7-7 Selection of patients for dialysis and transplantation....Pages 9-20 The status of haemodialysis....Pages 21-34 Current status of renal transplantation....Pages 35-48 Front Matter....Pages 49-49 The economics of treating chronic renal failure....Pages 51-69 The practicalities of limited care....Pages 71-85 Experience in self-care and limited-care haemodialysis in 340 patients....Pages 87-101 Front Matter....Pages 103-103 Hypertension....Pages 105-121 Dialysis encephalopathy....Pages 123-136 Anaemia in patients with chronic renal failure treated by intermittent haemodialysis-aetiology and treatment....Pages 137-158 Mineral metabolism in chronic renal failure....Pages 159-186 Front Matter....Pages 187-187 Psychological problems of the paediatric haemodialysis patient....Pages 189-199 Social and psychological problems of the adult haemodialysis patient....Pages 201-210 Haemodialysis — a personal viewpoint....Pages 211-213 Haemodialysis and transplantation — a personal experience....Pages 215-221 Some problems of staff stress in dialysis-transplantation units....Pages 223-233 Front Matter....Pages 235-235 Evaluation of four disposable dialysers....Pages 237-247 Developments in vascular access....Pages 249-264 The duration of dialysis....Pages 265-274 Conclusions....Pages 275-276 Back Matter....Pages 277-281