Emotional distress and adjustment in patients with end-stage kidney disease: A qualitative exploration of patient experience in four hospital trusts in the West Midlands, UK.

Many patients felt unprepared for the likelihood of experiencing emotional issues as part of their condition, for which pre-dialysis education could help in managing expectations, along with support to help patients to develop appropriate coping strategies and adjustments. These findings demonstrate the importance of recognising patient distress and ensuring that talking about distress becomes normalised for patients with end-stage kidney disease.