Psychosocial Adjustment of the Organ Transplantation Recipients in Korea / 대한이식학회지

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: This study was aimed to understand the experience and adjustment process of organ transplantation recipients in Korea, using grounded theory method. METHODS: Eight patients after liver transplantation and two patients after heart transplantation were selected for this study, for whom minimum follow-up duration was at least 6 months after transplantation. Data was collected from July to November 2005 through in-depth individual interviews either at home or hospital. The data were analyzed using a constant comparative method in which new data was continuously coded into categories and properties. RESULTS: Data analysis revealed that "safekeeping the graft" was the core category in experience of organ transplantation recipients. In order to safekeep transplanted organ, recipients used seven different strategies to deal with various problems and conflicts which occurred during the recovery process 1) altering the role function of family, 2) complying the treatment regimen, 3) developing the know-how for self-care, 4) returning to the normal life, 5) keeping the positive thinking, 6) concerning for the donor, and 7) improving the self-fulfillment. CONCLUSION: The results of this study provided deep understanding on the recovery process after organ transplantation and these would help establishing more appropriate intervention to improve quality of life for organ transplantation recipients.