Post-liver transplant surgical outcomes are well documented, however, little is known about the lived experience of being an adult liver transplant recipient (ALTR) from the recipients' perspectives. A phenomenological study was undertaken to describe the lived experiences of ALTRs from one Midwestern transplant center who were at least 6 months post-transplant. Data for this secondary analysis came from ALTRs who had participated in Newton's (1997) dissertation project (n=230) and who had responded to the following statement: “If you have any additional thoughts, comments, and/or suggestions that you think would be helpful to this project, we would love to hear from you”. Seventy five participants (33%) provided written comments; 18 (24%) had alcohol-related liver disease (ARLD) and 57 (76%) did not. Post-transplant alcohol use was virtually identical for both cohorts, 22% (ARLD) and 21% (non-ARLD). Secondary analysis of the data revealed five clinically-relevant themes: 1) work and financial issues; 2) impact of co-morbidities; 3) happy to be alive; 4) enjoy doing things; 5) life stinks. Two non-clinical themes emerged related to reflections on the study. The clinical themes suggest that liver transplantation, while life-altering, does not necessarily transform one's life in a positive way. Moreover, pre-transplant hepato-toxic behavior, for example, alcohol consumption, did not predict post-transplant hepato-toxic behaviors. Further nursing research is needed to clarify the relationship between the lived experience of receiving a liver transplant and the likelihood of engaging in destructive or non-destructive health behaviors post-transplant.
Session #1300 - Alcohol & Tobacco Use: Focus on Special Populations
The 30th Annual MNRS Research Conference