An introduction to the issues and challenges; options in medical management; psychological, social and vocational impact; assessment of QoL; a guide to available measures; cognitive and behavioural difficulties; illness cognitions - implications for treatment; dilemmas posed by organ-failure technology; health-care resource allocation; bias in the allocation of treatment; education of health professionals; psychological care of renal patients; education for self-care using CAPD; consequences of transplantation failure; renal failure in children; staff difficulties in the renal unit; patient and family support groups; dietary issues for renal patients; improving quality of life - ways forward.
