Patients' experiences in hospital following a liver transplantation

Abstract

Research is scarce regarding patients' experiences, feelings and thoughts the first 4 weeks after liver transplantation. Most research involving patients with a liver transplant are conducted several months, or even years, after the transplantation. The aim of this study is to present results from research interviews that took place post-transplant while patients still were in hospital. The design is explorative and hermeneutic. Fifteen patients were interviewed 3-5 weeks after transplantation. The results are presented in the following themes: (i) general contentment with the hospital stay, (ii) physical discomfort, (iii) dreams, nightmares and hallucinations, (iv) Comedowns experienced during rejection of the transplant and (v) Other psychological/mental reactions. A major result from our study is patients' own descriptions of comedowns experienced during rejection of the transplant, and the seemingly little consolation and support the patients received. Another major result is patients' own descriptions of dreams, nightmares and hallucinations, which are not fully described from the patients' own perspective while still in hospital.