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Ruth A. Tanyi, MSN, RN, APRN-BC, FNP-C

Ruth A. Tanyi, MSN, RN, APRN-BC, FNP-C, is a doctoral student in Preventive Care, Loma Linda University, School of Public Health, Loma Linda, CA. She also works as nurse practitioner and journalist. The author has no conflict of interest to disclose.

Joan Stehle Werner, DNS, RN, BCETS,FAAETS

Joan Stehle Werner, DNS, RN, BCETS, FAAETS, is Professor of Adult Health Nursing, College of Nursing and Health Sciences, University of Wisconsin, Eau Claire, WI. She is a Fellow of the American Association of Experts in Traumatic Stress. The author has no conflict of interest to disclose.

Ann C. Gentry Recine, BSN, RN, SFO

Ann C. Gentry Recine, BSN, RN, SFO, is a student in the Master of Science in Nursing Program, University of Wisconsin, Eau Claire, WI. She is also a Secular Franciscan, a pastoral care minister, and Behavioral Health Nurse, Hospital Sisters’ (of St. Francis) Health System, Eau Claire, WI. The author has no conflict of interest to disclose.

Rita A. Sperstad, MSN, RN

Rita A. Sperstad, MSN, RN, is Assistant Professor, Adult Health Nursing, University of Wisconsin, College of Nursing and Health Sciences, Eau Claire, WI. She is also doctoral candidate in Leadership, St. Thomas University, St. Paul, MN. The author has no conflict of interest to disclose.

This exploratory-descriptive study identifies dimensions of self-management demonstrated by patients with end stage renal disease (ESRD) who have been successfully treated with peritoneal dialysis (PD) for more than 4 years (range = 4.1 to 13.1 years, mean=7.5 years). After IRB review, semi-structured interviews were conducted with 18 individuals, 10 male and 8 female; 11 Caucasian, 6 African-American, and 1 Hispanic. Respondents ranged in age from 33 to 86 years (mean = 54.4 years). Interviews were audio-recorded and verbatim transcriptions were analyzed according to a content analytic procedure, with movement from specific to general. Two broad domains of self-management were identified: autonomy/control in health care and normality in everyday life. Autonomy/control was comprised of three specific dimensions: partnership in care, self-care, and self-care self-efficacy. Normality in everyday life included the dimensions of flexibility/freedom, interpretation of illness severity, and perception of body image. Although the small sample size and methodology limit generalizability, insights into the lived self- management experience on PD were identified. Such insights lay the groundwork for development of interventions to facilitate informed decision-making regarding dialysis modality, to teach tactics for effective self-management on PD, and to help health care professionals to support the self-management efforts of patients on PD.