Living kidney donor experiences: implications for counselling

This study adds to previous, mostly quantitative, investigation into the experiences of living related kidney donors. Such investigation is important so that potential donors are supported effectively and donation programmes remain relevant and specific to need. Exploration takes place into donor decision-making processes and the most effective forms of professional support. A non-probability sampling technique highlighted eight living related kidney donors who were interviewed using a semi-structured interview format. Raw data was analysed through the qualitative technique of Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis. The decision to donate is made rapidly, decisively and rationally. Professional support provides reassurance to donors, particularly when experiencing acute psychological reaction. The need to provide support to the parents of living donors is specifically highlighted. A comprehensive range of Master Themes are generated through Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis and these reflect the complexity of the donation experience. This suggests donors are concerned with the management of psychological experience rather than with reviewing the appropriateness of an original decision to donate. Evidence indicates that concepts of attitude and self-efficacy belief can develop understanding of the psychological experience of being a living kidney donor. A counselling perspective, with Social Cognitive Theory at its core, is highlighted as a valid method for providing professional support to donors before and after surgery.