The coping experience of Taiwanese male donors in living donor liver transplantation.
BACKGROUND
Living donor liver transplantation is an option for effective treatment for patients with liver disease or a liver tumor. One disadvantage, however, is the risk of complications or death in a healthy donor. Thus, promoting the donor's safety and well-being is a major goal of transplantation care. In this regard, more research on physical and psychological complications and adjustment among donors is needed.


OBJECTIVE
The aim of this study was to describe the experiences of living liver donors, focusing on their perceptions of living liver transplantation and corresponding coping strategies.


METHODS
The data were analyzed using content analysis in this qualitative design.


RESULTS
Seven of 12 donors, all men, agreed to participate in the study. The core theme that emerged in regard to adjustment was "maintaining peace of mind." In addition, there were 4 subthemes: (a) removing themselves from information, (b) viewing the surgery as common, (c) having overall confidence, and (d) assigning value to their decision.


CONCLUSIONS
Living donor liver transplantation is a treatment option that requires acceptance by both the donor and his or her family. The process is enormously stressful, and the living liver donor needs adjustment strategies to maintain his or her peace of mind throughout the process.
School of Nursing, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan Hsien, Taiwan. ax2488@mail.cgu.edu.tw
Li-Chueh
LC
Weng
Hsiu-Li
HL
Huang
Yi-Wen
YW
Wang
Chia-Ling
CL
Chang
Cheng-Hui
CH
Tsai
Wei-Chen
WC
Lee
D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000328:Adult; D000533:Altruism; D006801:Humans; D016031:Liver Transplantation / Q000523:psychology*; D019520:Living Donors / Q000523:psychology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009042:Motivation; D061214:Patient Safety; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D011788:Quality of Life / Q000523:psychology*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013624:Taiwan; D055815:Young Adult