Living in limbo while one’s identity is changing: Patients’ existential experiences 6 months after a kidney transplantation with a living donor

To investigate patients' existential experiences in everyday life after a kidney transplantation with a living donor.A qualitative study anchored in a hermeneutic-phenomenological approach inspired by Ricoeur's theory of narrative and interpretation.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.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.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.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.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。.