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During the congress, E-Posters will be accessible to all participants on the congress website 24/7, as well as in the E-poster stations in the congress center.
Preparing your E-Poster
Please review the E-Poster format requirements carefully when preparing your E-Poster. Should your E-Poster not meet the mentioned requirements, it may not be displayed as described above.
E-Poster Submission Deadline
Please prepare and upload your E-Poster no later than March 14, 2026 11.59PM CET. After this date, you will no longer be able to prepare and upload your E-poster and it will not be displayed and accessible on the congress website.
Please follow the instructions below to input your abstract title.
Abstract titles should be brief and reflect the content of the abstract.
Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a growing public health concern in Guyana, a resource-limited nation burdened by infrastructural, financial and systemic healthcare constraints. Existing global literature suggests that hemodialysis often poses multidimensional challenges, particularly in low-resource settings; however, little research explores how these barriers shape patient experiences and Guyanese patient perspectives remain underexamined. Thus, this study explored the lived experiences, challenges and coping strategies of hemodialysis patients in Guyana. It aimed to gain insight into barriers affecting patient care accessibility and quality of life to inform patient-centered decisions in clinical practice, education and health system design.
A hermeneutic phenomenological design was utilized for this qualitative study. In-depth, semi-structured interviews were conducted in February 2025 with 11 adult patients receiving in-centre hemodialysis across four clinic sites. Interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed verbatim, and analyzed using Braun and Clarke’s six-phase thematic analysis framework. Reflexive journaling, memoing, and member checking were used to strengthen cultural sensitivity and analytical rigour. The study applied Malterud’s “information power” principle to determine an appropriate sample size based on the richness of the data.
Six interrelated themes emerged from the interviews: (1) Physical and Emotional Impact of Dialysis, as patients commonly described fatigue, nausea, cramping, cognitive fog, and emotional exhaustion that disrupted their daily functioning and well-being; (2) Shifts in Identity and Role Transitions, reflecting how participants moved from being caregivers and providers to dependents, often adopting a medicalized self-perception tied to their illness; (3) Social Isolation and Emotional Dependence, characterized by stigma, community withdrawal, and complex dynamics of gratitude and guilt in relying on family support; (4) Health Literacy and Empowerment, with several participants expressing a desire for more timely, transparent communication regarding lab results, dietary guidance, and their treatment plans. Knowledge often translated into greater hope and a stronger sense of empowerment, whereas its absence contributed to helplessness and distress; (5) Financial Burden and Cost-Related Barriers, which included unaffordable dialysis fees, limited government assistance, and reduced capacity to work. These pressures compounded emotional strain and increased reliance on family members for financial and logistical support; (6) Geographical and Transportation Challenges, particularly for rural patients, who faced long travel times, physical strain, and high transportation costs. These barriers were often intertwined with social support systems, as many patients required assistance from family to attend treatments.
The lived experiences of hemodialysis patients in Guyana identified significant barriers that extend far beyond the clinic. Enhancing patient quality of life will require holistic, patient-centred models that address not only clinical needs, but also the emotional, social, and systemic determinants of care. Findings from this study offer a vital foundation for policymakers, clinicians, and public health leaders to co-design interventions that are locally responsive and globally relevant.
