Research on the Intervention of Internet+ Health Education Model on Hemodialysis Patients with Psychological Distress

Abstract

Objective: To observe the status quo of patients’ psychological distress, and to explore the effect of Internet+ health education model (IHEM) on patients who experienced psychological distress during their first hemodialysis treatment, with the goal of reducing their psychological distress and improving their quality of life. Methods: IHEM was conducted on 120 first-time hemodialysis patients for 3 months while a distress thermometer and a list of questionnaires were used to screen patients and provide corresponding psychological intervention. The incidence rate of psychological distress was analyzed statistically to explore the difference in psychological distress at various periods. Results: The incidence rate (score ≥ 4) of psychological distress in first-time hemodialysis patients was 46.67%, and their distress was mainly rooted in physical, emotional, practical problems (economy, time, and energy), etc. Through IHEM, the psychological distress scores of the patients decreased to 3.29 ± 1.02 at one month after their discharge, and the incidence rate was 32.14%; the psychological distress scores of the patients were 2.29 ± 1.02 at 3 months after their discharge, and the incidence rate was 21.14%. The difference before and after the intervention was statistically significant (P < 0.05). Conclusion: A psychological distress thermometer can timely detect the degree and causes of psychological distress among first-time hemodialysis patients, and the use of IHEM may significantly alleviate the psychological distress among hemodialysis patients.