Abstract
Objective:
To understand the family experience of kidney transplantation process of a living donor.
Methods:
Qualitative study conducted with four families of patients undergoing kidney transplantation of living donor. The research instrument used was a semi-structured interview conducted at the homes of families and recorded audio. The interviews were transcribed verbatim and from the saturation of data, categories emerged.
Results:
The following categories were observed: impact of chronic kidney disease and dialysis treatment in the family; family experience at different stages facing kidney transplant of a living donor; family interaction with the healthcare team; Resignifying the family system in the process of chronic kidney disease and kidney transplant; and support from social networking and spirituality as coping strategies.
Conclusion:
Kidney transplantation from a living donor involves aspects of physical and emotional care of everyone involved in the process, considering the potential and experienced adaptations where spirituality is seen as a contributing factor.
Keywords
Family; Kidney transplantation; Organ transplantation; Living donors; Nursing care