HOW DO PATIENTS EXPERIENCE A KIDNEY BIOPSY?

SUMMARY Background Guidelines for care before, during and after a kidney biopsy vary nationally and internationally. A literature search has shown few studies about the care before, during and after a kidney biopsy and we found one study from the patients' perspective. Objectives The aim of the study is to gain knowledge about patients' experiences before, during and after a kidney biopsy. Methods A qualitative study with a phenomenological and hermeneutic approach using ‘observiews’ of seven patients before, during and after a kidney biopsy. Data were analysed using Malterud's principles of systematic text condensation. Results Three themes were found: The patients' basic needs, the patient's needs for information and the patients use humour as a coping strategy. Conclusion and Application to practice The patients' experiences were characterised by their need to fulfill self‐care requirements, because they had to lie down for four to six hours after the biopsy procedure. There is a need to find evidence for the time the patient need to be bedbound to avoid bleeding complications. The patients' needs for information were different, which explains why information should be individualised. There is particular need for more information after discharge.