Living in limbo while one's identity is changing:Patients' existential experiences 6 months after a kidney transplantation with a living donor

Autor: Kristensen, Ingrid Villadsen, Birkelund, Regner, Henriksen, Jette, Norlyk, Annelise
Jazyk: angličtina
Rok vydání: 2021
Předmět:
Zdroj: Kristensen, I V, Birkelund, R, Henriksen, J & Norlyk, A 2021, ' Living in limbo while one's identity is changing : Patients' existential experiences 6 months after a kidney transplantation with a living donor ', Journal of Advanced Nursing, vol. 77, no. 3, pp. 1403-1410 . https://doi.org/10.1111/jan.14683
Popis: Aim: To investigate patients’ existential experiences in everyday life after a kidney transplantation with a living donor. Design: A qualitative study anchored in a hermeneutic-phenomenological approach inspired by Ricoeur's theory of narrative and interpretation. Method: Eleven patient interviews were conducted approximately 6 months after a kidney transplantation with a living donor. The interviews were conducted between August 2017–May 2019. Analysis and interpretation are based on Ricoeur's theory of interpretation. Results: Four themes were identified: Experiencing bodily vulnerability while getting back to life; Feeling guilt while experiencing gratitude; Living in limbo while one's identity is changing; and Facing the future with hope while having reservations. Conclusion: This study reveals that patients experience multifaceted existential challenges in their everyday lives during the transition of the kidney transplantation process. Post-surgery complications for donors lead to feelings of guilt in patients; plus, they must adapt to a new existence, including a new identity. The patients feel they are in limbo, as they experience their existence as uncertain and their identity as unknown. Impact: The study highlights a need for developing a rehabilitation programme to address the individual and various existential challenges faced by patients who need to undergo a kidney transplantation.
Databáze: OpenAIRE