Interdisciplinary Research Collaboration between Anthropology and Nephrology

We illustrate how peritoneal dialysis (PD) is perceived and managed by people suffering of chronic kidney disease as an alternative to hemodialysis (HD). PD can be performed at home; HD requires hospitalization. PD is underused even if it seems to offer a number of potential benefits, among which increased autonomy and quality of life. Our article sheds light on how PD managment—including logistic, technical, social and emotional aspects—is mostly a patient’s responsibility, while HD is carried out by health profession als at the hospital. The article, therefore, critically analyses the autonomy provided by PD and reconsiders its susteinability and costs in light of people everyday experiences of living with this technology