Living in limbo while one's identity is changing: Patients' existential experiences 6 months after a kidney transplantation with a living donor. (4th December 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Kristensen, Ingrid Villadsen; Birkelund, Regner; Henriksen, Jette; Norlyk, Annelise
• Is Part Of: Journal of advanced nursing. Volume 77:Number 3(2021)
• Page Start: 1403
• Page End: 1410
• Publication Date: 2020-12-04
• Subjects: end‐stage renal disease -- existential experiences -- kidney transplantation -- nursing -- qualitative research -- Ricoeur; Nursing -- Periodicals; 610.7305
• DOI: 10.1111/jan.14683
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0309-2402

Abstract

Abstract: 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. 摘要: 目的: 探讨活体供肾移植后患者日常生活中的生存体验。 设计: 受Ricoeur叙事和解释理论的启发, 进行了以诠释现象学方法为基础的质性研究。 方法: 在活体供体肾移植后约6个月, 对11名患者进行了访谈。访谈于2017年8月至2019年5月期间进行。根据Ricoeur的解释理论进行分析和解释。 结果: 确定了四个主题:在回归生活的同时感受生命的脆弱; 怀带感激之心的同时体味内疚感;体味身份变化所带来的边缘感;以及对未来充满希望, 同时又能够接受失望。 结论: 本研究揭示了在肾移植过程中, 患者在日常生活中经历了多方面的生存挑战。供体术后并发症导致患者产生负罪感; 另外, 患者必须适应新的生活、新的身份。患者感到自己处于边缘状态, 因为在体验到自身存在的不确定性的同时, 感到对自己的身份不甚明了。 影响: 本研究强调了制定康复方案的必要性, 以解决需要接受肾移植患者所面临的个体和各种生存挑战。