Doctoral Dissertations
Date of Award
12-1999
Degree Type
Dissertation
Degree Name
Doctor of Philosophy
Major
Nursing
Major Professor
Sandra P. Thomas
Committee Members
Mitzi Davis, Howard Pollio, Patricia Droppleman
Abstract
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.
Recommended Citation
McCurry, Alice Hill, "A phenomenological study of the experience of the spouse of a heart transplant recipient. " PhD diss., University of Tennessee, 1999.
https://trace.tennessee.edu/utk_graddiss/8879