A phenomenological study of the experience of the spouse of a heart transplant recipient

Heart transplantation is an increasingly common treatment for end-stage heart disease and often involves extended periods of waiting for the transplant, recovering from the surgery, and life changes related to compliance with subsequent perennial medical follow-up and treatment. Current research readily documents increasing success in cardiac transplantation and in the long-term quality of life of recipients.Relatively few studies, however, have explored the impact of this critical life event on the spouse and/or children of the transplant recipient.The purpose of this study was to explore and describe the experience of spouses of heart transplant recipients. The study used a phenomenological design to describe the structure of the experience as related by seven female participants. Data was collected through phenomenological interviews with audio-recording and verbatim transcription of the audiotapes. Analysis of the transcripts was done both individually by the researcher and within a phenomenology research group.The thematic structure derived from data analysis describes the spouse's experience in the contexts of time and other people. Four major, interrelated themes emerged within this context: Death/Life, Vigilance, Change, and Gift. Findings are discussed in relation to nursing practice, education, and research.