The association between hope and quality of life in haemodialysis patients.

BACKGROUND Hope is important for patients with end-stage renal disease receiving haemodialysis (HD) and hope is associated with quality of life (QoL). Studies examining hope among the HD population are limited and, as far as the authors know, have not been undertaken in Jordan. AIMS To examine levels of hope and QoL and to examine the association between hope and QoL in HD patients in Jordan. METHODS A cross-sectional design was used. A convenience sample of 202 patients from six different dialysis centres was recruited. The World Health Organization QOL-BREF and the Herth Hope Index were used. FINDINGS Moderate levels of hope (M=32.3±4.1) were reported. Respondents reported low mean scores for the physical domain of QoL (M=48.3±21.1) but not for the psychological and social relationship domains. Higher hope scores were associated with better QoL. CONCLUSION The findings suggest a positive relationship between the level of hope and QoL in people receiving HD. Encouraging hope while caring for HD patients in clinical settings may improve their QoL. Understanding the relationship between hope and QoL may help healthcare providers to improve the quality of care for patients and their families.