Affiliation:
1. Department of Rural Health, Allied Health and Human Performance University of South Australia Adelaide South Australia Australia
2. School of Psychology University of Adelaide Adelaide South Australia Australia
3. Alliance for Research in Exercise, Nutrition and Activity, Allied Health and Human Performance University of South Australia Adelaide Australia
Abstract
AbstractIntroductionA growing body of research has examined the physical, psychological, social and financial impacts of living kidney donation. However, little is known about the unique experiences or additional burdens faced by living donors from regional or remote locations.ObjectiveTo explore the experiences of living kidney donors who live outside metropolitan centres and to determine how support services could be orientated to better meet their unique needs.Design/Setting/ParticipantsSeventeen living kidney donors participated in semistructured telephone interviews. Qualitative data were analysed using thematic analysis.FindingsEight themes were identified: (1) donor's emotional well‐being is influenced by the recipient's outcome, (2) varied levels of access to medical support and other important services in rural areas, (3) travel takes a toll on time, finances and well‐being, (4) varied level of financial impact, (5) medical, emotional and social challenges, (6) both lay and health professional support is valued, (7) varied levels of knowledge and experiences accessing information and (8) a worthwhile experience overall.ConclusionDespite many challenges, and travel adding to the complexity, rural living kidney donors generally consider it to be a worthwhile experience. The provision of additional emotional, practical and educational support would be welcomed by this group.
Subject
Family Practice,Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health
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