The purpose of this study was to evaluate certain factors that affect the quality of life experienced by the chronic hemodialysis patient population served by the Artificial Kidney Unit at Good Samaritan Hospital and Medical Center, Portland, Oregon. The intent of the study was to discover if there was a significant difference in quality of life between patients who dialyzed at home and patients at the Artificial Kidney Unit (center patients). For the purposes of this study, House, Livingston and Swinburn’s definition of quality of life was used. Their definition states that quality of life is a function of the perceived conditions affecting a selected population and the subjective attitude toward those conditions held by persons in that population. The perceived conditions with which this study is concerned are: activities of daily living, work and finances, physical condition, emotional state, supportive relationships, spiritual aspects, and choices in life. The patients’ perceptions of themselves in relation to each of these areas constitutes their subjective attitudes about them.