Living with renal failure, Softcover reprint of the original 1st ed. 1978
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.

Section One Meeting the Needs.- 1 Selection of patients for dialysis and transplantation.- 2 The status of haemodialysis.- 3 Current status of renal transplantation.- Section Two Economics and Limited Care.- 4 The economics of treating chronic renal failure.- 5 The practicalities of limited care.- 6 Experience in self-care and limited-care haemodialysis in 340 patients.- Section Three Some Clinical Problems.- 7 Hypertension.- 8 Dialysis encephalopathy.- 9 Anaemia in patients with chronic renal failure treated by intermittent haemodialysis — aetiology and treatment.- 10 Mineral metabolism in chronic renal failure.- Section Four Psychological and Personal Aspects.- 11 Psychological problems of the paediatric haemodialysis patient.- 12 Social and psychological problems of the adult haemodialysis patient.- 13 Haemodialysis — a personal viewpoint.- 14 Haemodialysis and transplantation — a personal experience.- 15 Some problems of staff stress in dialysis transplantation units.- Section Five Practical Management.- 16 Evaluation of four disposable dialysers.- 17 Developments in vascular access.- 18 The duration of dialysis.- Conclusions.