Liver transplant recipients’ reflections on organ donors and organ donation: a preliminary analysis

Authors

  • Bethli Vivienne Wainwright

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.11157/sites-vol8iss1id146

Keywords:

transplantation, organ donation, transplant recipients, phenomenology

Abstract

This article discusses preliminary findings from phenomenological research into the lived experience of liver transplant recipients in New Zealand, focusing on their views about the organ donor, the donor family, and organ donation more generally. It examines data collected during two phases of research; phase one, comprising seventeen qualitative interviews with transplant recipients across New Zealand, and phase two, which entailed a qualitative survey sent to 180 potential research participants. A brief background to liver transplantation in New Zealand is provided, followed by an outline of the eligibility criteria used to select participants for this research. The perspectives of liver transplant recipients are then explored through the themes of the donated liver as a gift, gratitude, what information recipients have about their donor families, communication with donor families, and conceptions of liver transplantation as a transformative experience.

Author Biography

Bethli Vivienne Wainwright

Bethli Wainwright undertook doctoral research as a student with the Faculty of Health and Environmental Science (Institute of Public Policy), at AUT University from 2007 - 2010. Her research was supervised by Professor Marilyn Waring (AUT University) and Associate Professor Ed Gane (Auckland University). Bethli's interest in the reality of life in New Zealand for liver transplant recipients was initiated after her own successful liver transplant in 2000. She jointly estalished a website with a fellow liver transplant recipient (http://www.livers.org.nz). The website regularly attracts queries from people newly listed for transplant, and their families.

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Published

07-04-2011

How to Cite

Wainwright, B. V. (2011). Liver transplant recipients’ reflections on organ donors and organ donation: a preliminary analysis. Sites: A Journal of Social Anthropology and Cultural Studies, 8(1), 83–107. https://doi.org/10.11157/sites-vol8iss1id146

Issue

Section

Articles