Description

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Goal: To begin to build a body of evidence on the perception of spirituality by patients undergoing hemodialysis.

Objectives:

1. Enumerate the components of a study on perception of spirituality in American Indians on hemodialysis.
2. Describe spirituality as depicted by participation in survey of American Indians.
3. Relate examples from the results of the study on the importance of spirituality to American Indians on hemodialysis.

Acknowledgments: The author would like to honor all of the participants who shared their stories as well as the nurses who care for them. Thanks to Anita Molzahn for consulting on this project. Special thanks to Dr. Gustafson, Terri John, Carl Cossit, Nancy Pierce, Jessie Lott, Diane Truchot, Sandy Fladmo, Patti Feller, Becky Roberts, and to the Big Sky Chapter of ANNA for their inspiration and support.

Note: This study was supported by a grant made available by the American Nephrology Nurses' Association (ANNA). The Big Sky Chapter of ANNA also contributed support and funding for this study. Findings of the study do not necessarily reflect the opinions of ANNA. The views expressed herein are those of the author, and no official endorsement by ANNA is intended or should be inferred. The author reported no actual or potential conflict of interest in relation to this continuing education article.