Exploring the embodied experience of receiving an organ transplant (1)
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Regulating the (Dis)embodied Self: Exploring the embodied, lived experience of receiving a deceased donor heart, liver or kidney transplant, as told by recipients.
IRAS ID
302510
Contact name
Dominic Summers
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust and University of Cambridge
Duration of Study in the UK
3 years, 1 months, 9 days
Research summary
This study is concerned with exploring the experiences of deceased donor heart, liver and kidney transplant recipients, and how receiving a transplant can alter one’s feelings towards their body, or their ‘embodiment’. In other words, how does one’s sense of self, identity, and feelings towards their body change upon receiving an organ transplant? While organ transplantation is a vital medical therapy, research is lacking in regard to both the patient’s lived experience and the changes in embodiment that may result. To counter this, this study – based in Cambridge, looking at transplants through the UK NHS – places the voices of adult heart, liver and kidney recipients at its core, with the aim of placing a greater emphasis on the patient’s experience and understanding the broader health implications of living with an organ transplant. Participants will be asked to conduct a semi-structured interview, where they discuss their experiences and feelings, and will also have the option of writing a short diary for 3-4 weeks. These methods will be combined with participant observation on hospital wards, and brief notes will be taken from the relevant sections of each participants’ medical record in order to contextualise the data gathered. Two recruitment methods will be employed. Firstly, individuals may be recruited through receiving a direct invitation from a member of NHS staff at either Addenbrooke’s Hospital or the Royal Papworth Hospital. Secondly, individuals may sign-up to the study after seeing it advertised through a Cambridge-based organ transplantation charity or organisation. In addition to organ recipients, NHS staff members involved in transplantation services will also be interviewed about their experiences. This study is funded through the Derek Brewer Research Studentship at Emmanuel College, University of Cambridge. Additional research funding has been granted by the Department of Geography, University of Cambridge.
REC name
North West - Greater Manchester East Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
21/NW/0299
Date of REC Opinion
30 Nov 2021
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion