Abstract
Every year thousands of Canadians are diagnosed with heart failure and for many the only treatment option is a heart transplant. Organ transplants are not available in every province in Canada thus many patients and caregivers must relocate to access transplant care. Using narrative analysis, this study explores the connection between home and the heart transplant journey. Nineteen interviews were conducted with patients and caregivers who relocated to access heart transplants. Several of these patients and caregivers relocated within their home province, while others moved outside their home province to access the care required. Autoethnography was used to analyze the researchers own transplant journey as a caregiver. The researchers journal writings, which documented a three-year relocation with her husband who required a heart transplant were analysis. Participants defined home in terms of people – family, friends and loved ones, while also defining home as a sense of community, safety and comfort. These definitions correlates with what patients and caregivers found most helpful during the transplant journey: meeting other patients and caregivers, support from care providers, and the importance of those who relocated with participants to the new city. Autoethnography revealed findings similar to those reported by participants. What the researcher found most helpful during their transplant journey: the care team and other patients, support from family who resided in the new city, and visits from family and friends from the home province. The findings show that home is connected to the transplant journey.
Presenters
Heather LannonStudent, Doctor of Social Sciences, Royal Roads University, British Columbia, Canada
Details
Presentation Type
Paper Presentation in a Themed Session
Theme
KEYWORDS
Narrative, Autoethnography, Home, Transplant, Patient Experience, Caregiver, Heart Failure
