title: Analysis of the changes and difficulties arising from kidney transplantation: a qualitative study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  to identify the main gains and stressors perceived by the patient, one year subsequent to kidney transplantation.
  
  
  METHODS
  a qualitative study, in which the data were obtained and analyzed through the Discourse of the Collective Subject and frequency counting, with the participation of 50 patients who had received kidney transplantation.
  
  
  RESULTS
  the sample presented a mean age of 44±12.8 years old, and a predominance of males (62%). The principal positive changes provided by the transplant were: return to activities; freedom/independence; well-being and health; strengthening of the I; and closening of interpersonal relationships. The most-cited stressors were: fear; medication; excess of care/control; specific characteristics of the treatment; and failure to return to the social roles.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  kidney transplantation caused various positive changes in the patient's routine, with the return to activities of daily living being the most important gain, in the participants' opinion. In relation to the stressors, fear related to loss of the graft, and questions relating to the immunosuppressive medication were the main challenges to be faced following transplantation.
authors: Centro Universitário UNA Belo Horizonte, Belo Horizonte, MG, BR.
authors: Daniela Cristina Sampaio
authors: DC
authors: de Brito
authors: Prevent Senior Private Operadora de Saude, São Paulo, SP, BR.
authors: Alessandra Moregola
authors: AM
authors: de Paula
authors: Faculdade de Psicologia, Centro de Ensino Superior de Juiz de Fora, Juiz de Fora, MG, BR.
authors: Fabiane Rossi dos Santos
authors: FR
authors: Grincenkov
authors: Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade Federal de Juiz de Fora, Juiz de Fora, MG, BR.
authors: Giancarlo
authors: G
authors: Lucchetti
authors: Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade Federal de Juiz de Fora, Juiz de Fora, MG, BR.
authors: Hélady
authors: H
authors: Sanders-Pinheiro
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D016030:Kidney Transplantation / Q000523:psychology; D008297:Male; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology*; D036301:Qualitative Research; D011788:Quality of Life; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology*