Open AccessThe Psychosocial Adjustment of Kidney Recipients in Canada's Kidney Paired Donation Program
Author(s) -
Sophia Bourkas,
Marie Achille
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
progress in transplantation
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 2164-6708
pISSN - 1526-9248
DOI - 10.1177/15269248211064881
Subject(s) - gratitude , psychosocial , donation , kidney donation , medicine , kidney transplantation , family medicine , focus group , kidney , clinical psychology , psychology , social psychology , psychiatry , marketing , economics , economic growth , business
Kidney paired donation programs have been implemented globally. The involvement of at least 2 donors in these programs might exacerbate recipients' debt of gratitude and guilt, worries about the donor's health, and worries about graft failure documented by previous studies. However, there is an absence of research on the psychosocial implications of kidney paired donation. This study aimed to provide an in-depth examination of recipients' experience of kidney paired donation, with a focus on psychosocial adjustment. Methods/Approach: Individual interviews were conducted with 8 recipients who received a transplant through Canada's Kidney Paired Donation program. Data was analyzed using Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis. Findings: Four themes emerged: (a) an emotionally charged relationship with the known donor, (b) optimal distance regulation in the relationship with the anonymous donor, (c) kidney paired donation as a series of ups and downs, and (d) multilayered gratitude. Discussion: Findings are considered in relation to extant literature. Issues relevant to the transplant community's clinical and research efforts to provide kidney recipients responsive care are discussed.