A Single-Participant Qualitative Case Study: Holism, Healing, and Health-Related Quality of Life in Hemodialysis— Reflections of a Long-Term Survivor

Abstract

The author, a 28-year survivor of hemodialysis treatments, tells a story of his longevity through some of the precepts of holism. These include emphasizing individual growth and change, healing the whole person, and the role that individuals play in self-healing. The author recounts the roles that social, cultural, religious, and educational institutions played in his healing and his transformation from someone devastated emotionally, physically, and spiritually at first, into someone who feels more complete and vigorous at present. The author also derives practice, policy, and research implications from this narrative, for nephrology social workers helping patients to heal and live full lives.