Table 4 Technical and human factors that affect how patients use health technology in broader social life
| Â | IV therapy (IV) | Parenteral nutrition (PN) | Oxygen therapy (O2) | Peritoneal dialysis (PD) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Technical factors | Portable systems may be heavy and limit mobility, while the gravity pole confines the patient to the home | Enables patients to be independent of the hospital and clinical staff Treatment frequency is a major constraint | Patients are confined to a restricted space ("hooked up" to tubes) The portable cylinders provide short periods of autonomy (2–4 hours) | The nocturnal automated exchange regulator enables a certain level of autonomy Treatment frequency is a major constraint |
Human factors | Professional and social life is slightly limited, albeit for a short period | Professional life is limited because of treatment frequency, the disease itself and the occasional-to-frequent re-hospitalisations Social life is limited because so much of social life revolves around the sharing of meals | Professional life is limited because of the disease and being "hooked up" to the concentrator for up to 18 hours/day Social life is limited because of the compromised self-image associated with wearing nasal tubes and portable cylinders The oxygen-saving device generates noise similar to that of a ventilator | Professional life is still possible (and is less restricted than for patients on hospital-based hemodialysis) Social life is still possible when using the nocturnal exchange regulator, but complicated when one wants to travel abroad or make short trips |