THE LIVED EXPERIENCE OF PEOPLE WITH LIVER TRANSPLANTS.
Contributors: State University of New York at Buffalo.
Published: 1993
Number of pages: 254
Subjects: Health Sciences, Nursing.
Description: Liver transplantation has been a viable treatment option for people with end stage liver disease since the introduction of cyclosporine in the early 1980's. While some studies have examined the side effects of immunosuppressive medications and the quality of life, little is known about the experience from the recipient's perspective. The purpose of this study was to provide a description of the lived experience of people who have had liver transplants.

To answer the question: "What is the lived experience of people with liver transplants?" this study was conducted using hermeneutic phenomenology. A purposive sample of 13 liver recipients who were transplanted within the last six years, but not less than one year, were interviewed in two phases. Phase One was composed of five men and four women with a variety of liver disorders requiring transplant. The four participants in Phase Two were chosen on the basis of their employment status, having returned to work. Semistructured formal interviews were conducted using one "Grand Tour" question, "What has the experience of living with a liver transplant been like for you?" The interviews were tape recorded and transcribed verbatim.

Data were analyzed using the Giorgi modification of the phenomenologic method and the Science of Unitary Human Beings was the theoretical foundation that guided the data analysis. Themes that emerged from the data were combined and abstracted into seven dimensions that described the lived experience of people with liver transplants. Conflict was experienced as inner and social, political, and economic conflict. The possibility of losing health insurance benefits prevented many of the participants from working. The recipients who were able to return to work had professional careers that afforded them flexibility in their schedule. The experience was spiritual for most of the recipients and each expressed gratitude to the donor's family. The participants who perceived themselves as healthy had a positive transplant experience. The results were compared with the existing literature and were supported. Policy change regarding disability and health insurance is needed for this group of people who would like to return to work but are unable to because of bureaucratic policy.
Notes: Source: Dissertation Abstracts International, Volume: 54-02, Section: B, page: 0747.

Thesis (D.N.S.)--STATE UNIVERSITY OF NEW YORK AT BUFFALO, 1993.

School code: 0656.