Psychotherapeutic management of good and poor compliance in patients on haemodialysis.

Numerous studies have been published on the psychobiological factors which either facilitate or impede a patient's adaptation to haemodialysis. These studies have tended to group all dialysands together, and the psychological heterogeneity of dialysands has not always been adequately recognized. Recent research has assisted in identifying certain homogeneous subgroups. With this information it appears possible to formulate a more rational approach to psychotherapeutic intervention and management. This paper deals with some of the psychological factors involved in the differential management of stress in in-centre patients on ongoing haemodialysis, i.e. differentiation between those who comply and those who do not and the reflection of this in psychotherapeutic management.