Perceptions of the donation process from adult-to-adult living liver donors.
BACKGROUND
Donor safety and the impact on quality of life continue to concern transplant centers as living liver transplantation increases.


METHODS
Living liver donors participated in a focus group to discuss their perceptions of the donation process.


RESULTS
The decision to donate was a personal choice made before the request by the recipient or transplant service. Spouses verified their support, but indicated that they were not included in the process. No donors felt coerced. The explanation of the procedure was thorough but excessive. Hospital care was good; however, donors admitted being unprepared for the pain and side effects of pain medications. Ongoing incisional discomfort continued beyond 6 weeks and prevented donors from feeling normal. Donors felt conflicted about competing with the "true" patient for healthcare.


CONCLUSIONS
Donors were positive about the need and willingness to donate. Sensitivity to the order of the disclosure process is identified.
Winsett
Rebecca P
RP
College of Nursing, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, Tenn, USA.
Russell
Cynthia
C
Grewal
Hani P
HP
Shokouh-Amiri
M Hosein
MH
Gaber
A Osama
AO
D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000328:Adult; D001294:Attitude to Health; D003220:Conflict, Psychological; D003657:Decision Making; D005260:Female; D017144:Focus Groups; D006801:Humans; D016031:Liver Transplantation / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000523:psychology*; D019520:Living Donors / Q000523:psychology*; D008297:Male; D015404:Nursing Methodology Research; D010149:Postoperative Pain / Q000209:etiology / Q000523:psychology; D010353:Patient Education as Topic; D011788:Quality of Life; D012449:Safety; D018454:Spouses / Q000523:psychology; D009927:Tissue and Organ Procurement