Children's experiences and expectations of kidney transplantation: A qualitative interview study.

RATIONALE AND OBJECTIVE: Kidney transplantation offers improved quality of life and life expectancy compared with dialysis for children. This study aims to understand the experiences and expectations of children during the kidney transplantation process to inform clinical care.

STUDY DESIGN: Face-to-face, semi-structured interviews.

SETTING AND PARTICIPANTS: We interviewed 13 children and adolescents aged between 7 and 17 years old in New Zealand who had received a kidney transplantation.

ANALYTICAL APPROACH: We conceptualised the findings using thematic analysis with inductive coding.

RESULTS: We identified three major themes: transplant as the goal (the only real treatment and escaping dialysis); dealing with negative emotions (coping with anxiety and fear, guilt for siblings and burden of parent as donor); and enhancing understanding and knowledge (individualised education and reassurance from peer support).

LIMITATIONS: Study conducted in New Zealand therefore, the transferability of findings to other populations is unclear.

CONCLUSIONS: Children and adolescents view transplantation as freedom from dialysis and return to a more normal life. Children focus on the positive aspects of transplantation to reduce anxiety and be reassured in the face of uncertainty. Complex emotions arise when thinking about their donor. Children recognise transplantation is not a return to full health and actively seek out ways to self-manage their care, while remaining anxious about their future. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.