A 1976 national survey was made to obtain information about hjemodialysis patients and their partners. Results of the survey indicate that a suitable (willing and capable) partner is a principal consideration of both patient and physician when they select the site for carrying out dialysis treatment. Results also indicate that the majority of the partners of the home-hemodialysis population come from the immediate family (90%), are white (93%), and have at least a high school education (80.4%). That more than 50% of the patients' partners in the study had assisted 3 or more years indicates that a stable relationship is possible on home dialysis. Moreover, even though machine problems were found to be a continuing major dislike among partners, most partners (nearly 92%) express little or no worry over them. Furthermore, the results indicated that the length of time a partner helps with dialysis is not correlated with the level of concern with machine problems.