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Learning needs of liver recipients during convalescence

University of British Columbia

Client education is an important aspect in the provision of holistic care for those clients who have undergone liver transplantation. Yet there remains a paucity of research that identifies the learning needs of liver recipients. Research pertaining to transplantation addresses such issues as functional and psychosocial outcomes, stressors, information needs of the family, and quality of life following transplantation. The majority of the studies are quantitative in method and employ questionnaires to obtain data. As a result, liver recipients' perceptions of their learning needs during convalescence have not been explored. Grounded theory provides the research design for this qualitative study which explores the learning needs of clients who have undergone liver transplantation during convalescence. In utilizing this research design, common circumstances, experiences, meanings and behaviours were taken into consideration. Symbolic interactionism was the conceptual framework for this study which enabled common circumstances, experiences, meanings, and behaviours to be understood from the perspective of those who have actually experienced liver transplantation. There were 6 study participants who had undergone liver transplantation of whom 5 were interviewed twice and the other participant only once. Data analysis was simultaneously carried out with data collection utilizing the constant comparison methods as outlined by Corbin and Strauss (1990). The participants' learning needs were identified to entail "Crucial Learning Needs" and "Knowing What to Expect". Three main categories emerged from the latter area which include: mastering recovery, transition, and reflection. Each category had within it several subcategories. As a result of this study, health care professionals may anticipate and assess liver recipients' learning needs and have insight into the experience of convalescence following liver transplantation. Implications for nursing practice and research have emerged which are addressed.

Thesis/Dissertation

application/pdf

2009-05-20

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http://hdl.handle.net/2429/7996

Nursing

University of British Columbia

UBCV

DSpace