One size does not fit all: a qualitative study exploring the apparel wants and needs of people on dialysis

Purpose: This study explored the apparel wants and needs of people on dialysis using the user-centered design process. The study's aim was to understand the experiences and feeling of people on dialysis and their clothing barriers, along with exploring their functional needs and aesthetic wants in apparel items.

Methods: To achieve the study's aim, 15 semi-structured qualitative interviews with people undergoing dialysis or caregivers were conducted in March 2017. In addition, researchers observed two dialysis clinics after hours for additional context.

Results: Three theme categories emerged, which included (a) dialysis treatment, (b) challenges of dialysis, (c) dialysis clothing barriers. Within the framework of the user-centered design process, a deeper understanding of both the physical and emotional challenges of dialysis helped in finding barriers and giving design considerations for researchers, industry professionals, and educators.

Significance: The findings help to give voice to a target market who desires to participant in consuming both fashionable and functional clothing. Current apparel for PLWD focus on the physical ailment and not the psychological well-being. The study's findings help to give recommendations to researchers, industry professionals, and educators when designing and developing apparel, products, and other environments for people on dialysis.IMPLICATIONS FOR REHABILITATIONPeople undergoing dialysis treatment are an under-served population in terms of clothing needs and wants, which results in both physical and emotional challenges.This study recommends researchers and industry professional to apply the user-centered design process when designing and developing apparel for people on dialysis.People on dialysis have a similar unappealing "uniform" that is worn during treatment that gives access to their site and blood pressure cuff, hides blood staining and allows for weight fluctuations.Apparel considerations for designing should consider to break down clothing barriers and improve mental health of people on dialysis.