Reflections on the meanings, experiences and perspectives of chronic kidney patients after kidney transplantation

Abstract

Objective: to investigate the meaning, experiences and perspectives of people with chronic kidney failure undergoing kidney transplantation. Method: descriptive, exploratory research of a qualitative nature. An interview script was used as an instrument and a semi-structured interview was used as a collection technique. Ten people who underwent kidney transplantation, registered with the Association of Chronic Kidneys and Transplants of the State of Pará, Brazil, participated in the research. Research conducted from October to November 2018, and for the construction of data, the thematic content analysis technique proposed by Bardin was used. Result: the participants believe that the transplantation gave them an opportunity for a new life, recognizing that it allowed them to experience well-being, satisfaction and emotional growth, which, therefore, allowed them to resume the quality of life and conditions prior to illness. Conclusion: kidney transplantation has a meaning of blessing and represents the expectation of being able to resume their lives, and continue from where it was interrupted by kidney disease; it represents, from the perspective of these individuals, the hope of a better life and of being able to envision a healthier future, which may require the collaboration of family members and health professionals, and personal care peculiar to the transplant recipient's new life condition.