The family medicine team as providers of home dialysis care in kibbutzim in Israel.

ABSTRACT

Sixteen patients with terminal renal failure who live in kibbutzim in Israel were interviewed. Over 50% of these patients receive dialysis treatment in their home kibbutz under the supervision of the family medicine team as compared with only 12.4% of all dialysis patients in the country who are treated at home. The implications of dialysis in the kibbutz are discussed, particularly the relevance of the overall responsibility of the kibbutz for all its members' needs in the provision of dialysis facilities. The relevance of community-based dialysis in general is discussed.