Findings of living donation experiences shared on a digital storytelling platform: A thematic analysis

To identify common experiences and emotional changes shared by living donors and kidney recipients about their living donation experiences on a digital storytelling platform.

82 donors and 36 recipients submitted prompt-guided videos to the platform. Two coders analyzed transcripts for motivations, common themes, and emotions expressed.

Storytellers shared their stories to advocate for living donation and contribute to others facing similar challenges. Pre-surgery, recipients recalled their dialysis experiences and how they sought living donors while donors discussed their motivations and common fears. Post-surgery, recipients discussed changes in their relationship with the donor and quality life, while donors described how they benefited. Learning they needed a transplant, recipients reported feeling fear (33.3%) while donors felt sadness (48.8%). Post-transplant, recipients and donors reported feeling happiness (85.4%, 38.9%) and relief (29.3%, 22.2%).

Online digital storytelling libraries increase access to real-life living donation experiences. Since stories are highly personal, additional living donor kidney transplant risk-benefit education is needed.

Stories can supplement traditional education and be incorporated into advocacy efforts; campaigns could capitalize upon the personal aspect of stories to gently introduce and encourage living kidney donation among the general public.