Dialysis access and the impact on body image: role of the nephrology nurse.

End-stage renal disease is a chronic condition, without cure, requiring dialysis therapy to maintain life or transplantation for those fortunate enough to receive a kidney. To commence dialysis (peritoneal dialysis or haemodialysis), access is required in the form of a fistula, vascular catheter or peritoneal catheter, and changes in body image will ensue, no matter what treatment option is selected. Renal transplantation, the treatment of choice for many patients, is also associated with body image issues. Despite these problems, the role of the nurse in managing body image problems in the renal population is rarely discussed. The aim of this article is to outline the concepts of dialysis and body image, and discuss the role of the nephrology nurse at the authors' current place of work. It highlights suggestions on how renal nurses can prepare and educate patients regarding changes in body image following a diagnosis of end-stage renal disease, and emphasizes the need for future research in this area.