Authors
Abstract
Introduction: Transplanted patients’ communication with the families of brain-dead donors is a
new experience, which provokes different reactions in both sides due to its different dimensions.
The aim of this study was to clarify emotional and psychological experiences of transplanted
patients in communicating with brain-dead donors’ families.
Method: This study was a qualitative research conducted using the phenomenology approach.
The experiences of transplanted patients were studied using unstructured and in-depth
interviews. Data saturation was reached by interviewing 8 transplanted patients who
communicated with the brain-dead patients’ families. Data were analyzed using qualitative
content analysis based on Colaizzi’s method.
Results: The findings of this survey can be classified into two general concepts of anxiety, and
psychological and mental disturbances after receiving the organ. These two concepts consist of
smaller concepts. Anxiety consists of concepts such as complicated therapy, regret due to
relationship problems, stress and worry, and stress after the incident. Mental and psychological
disturbances after receiving the organ consist of the recipient’s mental challenges with
her/himself, and increase in blood pressure due to stress.
Conclusion: Transplantation is an important event occurring in the life of these patients. The
anxiety of the possible failure of transplantation is a problem that these patients are exposed to
after transplantation. Communication and familiarity with the donor’s family also increase this
anxiety. If the brain-dead donor’s family wishes to communicate with the organ recipient, it is
better to start this relationship under special conditions and the supervision of a psychologist.
Keywords
)