Makassar, Indonesia July 08 2026/PMN-RG/ – Imagine spending hours connected to a dialysis machine every week just to stay alive.
For thousands of people living with chronic kidney disease, hemodialysis is not simply a medical treatment it is a way of life. Beyond the physical burden, patients must carefully manage their diet, fluid intake, medications, and daily activities while coping with emotional stress and uncertainty about the future. These challenges often reduce quality of life and increase the risk of serious health complications.
Recognizing this growing public health concern, researchers from Universitas Hasanuddin and international collaborators conducted an innovative study to evaluate whether a structured educational program could help patients take better control of their health. The findings, published in Frontiers in Public Health in 2026, offer promising evidence that education can become a powerful medicine for people undergoing hemodialysis.
The study involved 90 hemodialysis patients in Indonesia who participated in a health education intervention based on the PRECEDE-PROCEED Model, a globally recognized framework for health promotion and behavioral change. Participants in the intervention group received eight educational sessions over four weeks, focusing on self-care practices, medication adherence, dietary management, infection prevention, physical activity, and coping strategies.
The results were remarkable.
Patients who received the structured educational program demonstrated significantly better self-care behaviors and improved quality of life compared with those receiving standard care. Researchers also observed reductions in serum urea and creatinine levels, two important indicators of kidney function. The intervention group showed substantial improvements in self-care scores and quality-of-life measures, highlighting the value of patient-centered education in chronic disease management.
These findings reinforce an important message: healthcare is not only about medical procedures and technology. Empowering patients with knowledge, confidence, and practical skills can dramatically influence how they manage their condition and navigate everyday challenges.
This initiative strongly supports SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being, which aims to ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all. Chronic kidney disease continues to affect millions of people worldwide, and effective educational interventions can improve treatment outcomes, reduce complications, and enhance overall patient well-being. By helping patients become active partners in their own care, healthcare systems can move toward more sustainable and person-centered models of service delivery.
The study also contributes to SDG 4: Quality Education, as it demonstrates the transformative role of health education in improving health literacy and self-management skills. Knowledge is not confined to classrooms; it can directly improve health outcomes and empower individuals to make informed decisions about their lives.
Furthermore, the international collaboration among researchers from Indonesia, Germany, Malaysia, India, and Saudi Arabia reflects the spirit of SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals. Addressing complex health challenges requires cooperation across institutions, disciplines, and countries. Such partnerships strengthen research capacity and accelerate the translation of scientific evidence into practical healthcare solutions.
As healthcare systems continue to confront the growing burden of chronic diseases, this study reminds us that education remains one of the most effective and accessible interventions available. Sometimes, improving a patient’s future does not begin with a new drug or sophisticated technology it begins with empowering them to understand, manage, and take charge of their own health.
Through evidence-based education, better lives become possible, one patient at a time.
Reference:
DOI. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpubh.2026.1766801
Contact:
Dr. Yuliana Syam, S.Kp., Ns, M.Si.
+6281342012733
yulianasyam@unhas.ac.id
