title: The experience of receiving a kidney transplant from a deceased donor: Implications for renal services.
abstract: The study aimed to explore the psychological experiences of receiving a kidney transplant from a deceased donor and to examine resulting implications for renal services.
  
  
  
  A qualitative design was utilised within an interpretative phenomenological analysis (IPA) framework.
  
  
  
  Semi-structured interviews were conducted with six adults (male = 5, mean age = 45 yrs) on their experiences of receiving a kidney transplant from a deceased donor. All participants had their transplant within the preceding 21 months. Data were analysed using IPA.
  
  
  
  The four elicited themes incorporate recipients' positive feelings about receiving a transplant, mainly arising from the newfound freedom that this entails, in addition to strong feelings of gratitude towards their donors. They also capture challenges, such as the uncertainty of living with a transplanted kidney, and highlight the increased dependence on others throughout the transplant process.
  
  
  
  The findings indicate a range of psychological, social and occupational experiences for participants. It is concluded that optimal care in renal services would incorporate a holistic approach to pre and post-transplant care; identifying and supporting the needs of transplant recipients. A biopsychosocial model of care may enhance service user well-being. Potential areas of future research are explored.
authors.affiliation: a Lancashire Care NHS Foundation Trust , UK/Faculty of Health & Medicine, Lancaster University , UK.|b Psychology Services, Health Service Executive , The Maple Unit, Cherry Orchard Hospital , Dublin , Ireland.
authors.forename: Diarmaid Ó
authors.initials: DÓ
authors.lastname: Lonargáin
authors.affiliation: d Department of Renal Medicine , Royal Preston Hospital, Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust , Preston , UK.
authors.forename: Dawn
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Brannigan
authors.affiliation: c Division of Health Research, Faculty of Health & Medicine , Furness College, Lancaster University , Lancaster , UK.
authors.forename: Craig
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Murray
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002102:Cadaver; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D016030:Kidney Transplantation / Q000523:psychology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D036301:Qualitative Research; D014019:Tissue Donors / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*
keywords: biopsychosocial model; interpretative phenomenological analysis; kidney transplantation; qualitative research; renal services; service user experiences