The Vicious Circle of Stigma among Maintenance Hemodialysis Patients: A Qualitative Study

Background We conducted this study to understand the experiences of stigma among maintenance hemodialysis patients. Materials and Methods Using purposive sampling, maintenance hemodialysis patients treated in the blood purification center of a domestic Grade A tertiary hospital from August 2024 to October 2024 were selected as the research subjects. Face-to-face semi-structured interviews were conducted with 14 patients, and the interview data were analyzed using Colaizzi’s seven-step method of interpretative phenomenology to extract themes. Results Three themes were extracted after sorting out the data of maintenance hemodialysis patients, including sources of stigma, behavioral manifestations of stigma, and experiences of coping with stigma. The sources of stigma included social prejudice, family pressure, and self-negation; the behavioral manifestations included concealing the condition, self-isolation, and body shame; the coping experiences included dynamic adjustment of mindset, seeking comfort on one’s own, and unmet support needs. Conclusion There is a vicious circle of stigma among maintenance hemodialysis patients, which impacts their return to normal life. Society should strengthen public awareness of maintenance hemodialysis, correct misperceptions, and enhance social support. Medical institutions should improve the relevant systems and supporting facilities to provide comprehensive support, including treatment, information, and emotional support, for patients.