Young Peoples Personal Experiences of Lung Transplantation
Research type
Research Study
Full title
YOUNG PEOPLES RETROSPECTIVE PERSONAL EXPERIENCES OF LUNG TRANSPLANTATION
IRAS ID
127761
Contact name
Sara Anderson
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University of East London
Research summary
The aim of this study is to explore young people’s past personal experiences of having a lung transplant. Lung transplantation is considered for children and adolescents with end-stage lung disease with a life expectancy of less than 24 months unless transplanted. Transplantation is a stressful process with numerous adaptive challenges. Research suggests that a substantial number of young organ transplant recipients experience psychological distress and adjustment difficulties. Adolescence can be a difficult time for healthy young people, further complicated by a life threatening illness. Although a growing body of medical literature exists, little is known about the individual experience and the psychological impact of lung transplantation on adolescent development and thus this needs to be explored. The aim of this study is to explore the personal experience of lung transplant from the adolescent perspective, in order to understand the psychosocial impact of the transplant process in the context of adolescent development, with the ultimate aim of improving and developing psychological care, and enhancing the quality of life of young people going through the experience of receiving a lung transplant. The study will be an exploratory qualitative study of the lived experience of adolescent lung transplant recipients. Young people, between the ages of 11 and 18 who have received a lung transplant in the previous 3-36 months will be recruited to participate in semi-structured interviews. The interviews will be analysed according to the principles of Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA), a qualitative research method commonly used in qualitative health psychology research.
REC name
London - Bromley Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
13/LO/0837
Date of REC Opinion
6 Aug 2013
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion