Recipients' perceptions of their transplanted kidneys.
BACKGROUND
The literature indicates few studies on kidney patients' perception of the donor kidney. In light of this fact, we decided to explore this issue with adult patients.


METHODS
We carried out a phenomenological study with 40 adult kidney patients.


RESULTS
In this study, three main themes became apparent: the savior, gratitude, and feelings of intense responsibility for the kidney. The patients' perception of the kidney as a savior was evident in statements where patients spoke of being "reborn" and of the kidney as "a distinct being." Their sense of gratitude was evident in their description of the kidney as "a gift of life," in their comments on their improved, "quality of life" and sense of leading a "normal life." Feelings of intense responsibility for the kidney were also present: "always on my mind," "precious being," "uncertainty," and "contract." This study's unique finding was recipients' desire to enter a contract with the transplanted kidney in order to prevent the risk of rejection.


CONCLUSIONS
This study indicates that in addition to the physiological care of kidney patients' during the pre- and postoperative phases, there is also an important psychological component. This demonstrates that the success of a kidney transplant does not only depend on the physical care given to the patient but also on the emotional support provided by those around them. Accordingly, healthcare providers should support the patients' emotional needs in a number of ways as suggested in the discussion.
Buldukoglu
Kadriye
K
School of Health, Akdeniz University, and Organ Transplantation Unit, Akdeniz University Hospital, Antalya, Turkey. bkadriye@akdeniz.edu.tr
Kulakac
Ozen
O
Kececioglu
Nilgun
N
Alkan
Saliha
S
Yilmaz
Mualla
M
Yucetin
Levent
L
D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000533:Altruism; D001294:Attitude to Health; D003657:Decision Making; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D016030:Kidney Transplantation / Q000523:psychology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D011788:Quality of Life / Q000523:psychology; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D035501:Uncertainty