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Comparing Parents' and Children's Views of Children's Quality of Life After Heart Transplant |
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| Authors: | Angela L Green Jean McSweeney Kathy Ainley Janet Bryant |
| Institution: | Arkansas Children's Hospital, Little Rock, AR, USA; College of Nursing, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR, USA |
| Abstract: | PURPOSE. The purpose of this focused ethnographic study was to explore the quality of life (QOL) of school-age heart-transplant recipients. DESIGN AND METHODS. Semistructured interviews were conducted with 11 parent–child dyads. Data were analyzed using content analysis and constant comparison. RESULTS. Participants identified key factors impacting the children's QOL including: participation in normal activities, normalcy, staying healthy, sources of strength and support, and struggles (parents' perspectives) and doing what kids do, being with family and friends, and being a heart transplant kid (children's perspectives). PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS. Interventions focusing on the key factors identified by participants may impact the QOL of school-age heart-transplant recipients. |
| Keywords: | Organ transplantation quality of life school-age children |