Enhancing Self-Care Management of interdialytic Fluid Weight Gain in Patients on Hemodialysis: A Pilot Study Using Motivational Interviewing

Patients receiving hemodialysis are challenged with restricting their fluid intake to ensure appropriate interdialytic weight gains. While nurses endeavor to promote self care, the ability to manage fluid gain rests on the patient's understanding and decision to limit fluid intake. A mixed-methods pilot study was undertaken to determine if motivational interviewing, a patient-centered, conversational, and collaborative approach to stimulating behavior change and resolving ambivalence, enhances self-care fluid management. Participants felt that motivational interviewing was very helpful, although findings suggest self-care fluid management requires a toolkit of interventions. Key motivational interviewing actions for nurses are presented.