Abstract

FERREIRA, Vera Maria Alves Pereira et al. Psychological aspects of donors of renal transplantation. Aletheia [online]. 2009, n.30, pp. 183-196. ISSN 1413-0394.

In kidney transplantation, there are relevant psychological and social factors, both for the receiver and the patient. This study aimed at analyzing the emotional aspects of living related kidney donors in a public hospital. The qualitative analysis of 15 possible donors interviews is presented. The subjects verbalize feelings regarding to the transplantation experience, mainly the desire to save the patient, offering him/her a better quality of living. Contributing to the decision to donate was the fact that there were no other donation candidates. The knowledge the donors have about the procedure and its results is precarious. Expectations and idealizations that the willingness to donate the kidney could improve the relationship with the family members after the transplant were also evidenced. The analysis shows subjective aspects of these donors of which the multidisciplinary team must be aware of. It was evidenced that there is a need for a previous psychological evaluation preceding surgery and its follow up providing a fully conscious decision to donate and avoiding conflicts between recipient and donor after the transplantation.

Keywords : Transplantation; Psychological assessment; Qualitative analysis.

        · abstract in Portuguese     · text in Portuguese     · Portuguese ( pdf )