How does psychological processing relate to compliance behaviour after lung transplantation? A content analytical study

Abstract

Non-compliance is one of the crucial problems impairing outcome after transplantation. Fourteen lung transplant recipients were interviewed about their thoughts regarding transplant-related topics. Compliance was assessed by doctors. The psychological processing was investigated by content analysis. Highly compliant patients perceived more advantages by transplantation. In contrast, low-compliant patients reported either an emotional distance to the lung or a closer relationship to the donor. Furthermore, they showed a contradictory relationship to the medical staff. There are some indications that perception of advantages by transplantation is crucial to compliance. This experience takes place in the context of a good staff – patient relationship. Emotional distance to the lung or nearness to the donor are further contributing factors of non-compliance.

Keywords:

• Compliance
• content analysis
• lung transplantation
• mental processing
• personal growth

Acknowledgement

Supported by the Swiss National Science Foundation (Project number 4046-05661)

Notes

1. Statements that are not or hardly done within the main categories “self”, “transplanted lung”, “medications”, “donor” and “medical staff” are not especially mentioned.