Supporting Hemodialysis Care coordination in Bangladesh: user-centered design of an information exchange platform

Abstract

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is defined as a progressive condition where a gradual loss of kidney function over time is characterized by the requirement of kidney-preserving or replacement therapies in the advanced stages. Hemodialysis requires synchronized and coordinated care efforts over long periods of time among patients, caregivers, and doctors. This process is especially challenging in contexts like Bangladesh due to the resource constrained settings. High treatment costs, limited dialysis facilities, and communication gaps among stakeholders further complicate the care scenarios. Although existing research on digital health has deeply explored individual aspects of dialysis management and care activities such as self-monitoring and remote tracking, the complex triadic information exchange among patients, caregivers, and doctors considering the interactional scenario remains underexplored, especially in the context of the Global South. The research presented in this thesis was conducted as a three-phased user-centered design study. It involved 24 participants in total, including CKD patients, paid and un paid caregivers, and doctors.