Relocation affects patients
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* Brian Whitwham

First Nations patients who relocate from rural areas to cities for dialysis face significant challenges, the *Canadian Journal of Rural Medicine* reports (2003;8[1]:19-24).

Researchers interviewed patients from across Northwestern Ontario who had been undergoing dialysis for from 6 months to 5 years. Patients who had to leave home for treatment had physical symptoms, such as loss of appetite, following the move, and also felt less independent because they were less self-sufficient and missed being able to contribute to their own community. “I don't have any friends any more,” said one. — *Brian Whitwham*, CMAJ