Roles assessment in families of children with chronic renal failure on peritoneal dialysis.

Families with a child on chronic peritoneal dialysis have to assume a significant burden of care, intensifying the demands and the reorganization of roles in the families of children. The purpose of this study is to describe the implications of role changes in families of children with chronic renal disease on peritoneal dialysis. This is a case study of four families of children with chronic renal disease on peritoneal dialysis. Fourteen family members participate in the study. After the child's chronic kidney failure and the start of treatment, each relative's ways, acts and functions are changed, maintained or adapted to the new family dynamics, imposed by the child's treatment conditions. Appropriate role assessment provides the nurse and the families of children with chronic renal failure on peritoneal dialysis with insight regarding current and potential health problems and aids in identifying the needs of the families.