Abstract: Objective  To develop a structured educational curriculum suitable for patients during initial hemodialysis period in China.  Methods  From June 2023 to June 2024, a survey was conducted through literature analysis and on patients using the self-made "Structured Education Needs Questionnaire for Initial Hemodialysis Patients". Based on existed structured education models, a preliminary draft of structured education courses for initial hemodialysis patients was formed. Further revision and improvement of the draft were made through expert meetings.  Results The final draft of the structured education course for patients in the initial stage of hemodialysis was collectively implemented by medical staff. The course includes teaching objectives, content, and evaluation. The preliminary application of the course on 38 patients in the initial hemodialysis period showed that after implementation, the patients' awareness level (Z=-5.402, P<0.001), self-management (t=-5.065, P<0.001), emotional state (t=-7.477, P<0.001), hemoglobin (t=-5.637, P<0.001), albumin (t=-3.314, P=0.002), total protein (t=-4.958, P<0.001) and serum calcium (t=-2.683, P=0.011) were all higher than those before implementation, and patient satisfaction was relatively high.  Conclusion The structured education curriculum for patients during initial hemodialysis period is scientific, accurate, standardized, vivid, easy to understand, and worthy of further clinical promotion.

Key words: Hemodialysis, The initial dialysis period of hemodialysis, Structured education, Curriculum