The lived experiences of liver transplant patients

Background: Today, liver transplantation is a routine procedure in the treatment of patients with end stage liver disease and its survival rate is high. In order to promote health, nurses and other health care professionals need to discover the meanings of lived experiences after liver transplantation. It is important for nurses to know what patients really experience; appropriate nursing intervention can be extracted from such understanding. This study aimed to describe the meaning of lived experiences of liver transplant patients after discharging from hospital. Methods: A Phenomenological approach was chosen for the study. Unstructured and open–ended interviews were conducted with 9 liver transplant patients. The method of analysis described by Colaizzi (1978) was utilized. Results: According to Colaizzi, seven categories emerged: support, gradual adaptation, transplant outcomes, concerns, fallow up, gratitude and waiting for transplant. The patient’s physical and mental problems prevented them to fulfill personal goals before transplant. Although they had some concerns such as fear of graft rejection, they were at the peace with the world after transplantation. Lifelong medications were identified insignificant for the participants. Social support was essential for recovery and meeting other recipients in the same situation as well as sharing health and life experiences is an important aspect among liver transplant patients. Health professionals were universally praised in the study however the fallow up care they received from them was not desirable. Conclusion: Health professional especially nurses should take a more active role in continuing care for such clients. Also, the support patients give each other should be encouraged and aided by health care team.