Navigating the Lung Transplantation Journey - A Qualitative Study of the Caregivers’ Experiences and Needs

Sep 29, 2026

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Explores how family members navigate the lung transplantation journey as primary caregivers, focusing on lived experiences, evolving needs, and expectations from the pre-transplant period through recovery. A descriptive phenomenological qualitative study used in-depth interviews with 31 adult relatives at Vall d’Hebron University Hospital (2018–2022) and analyzed data with Colaizzi’s method. Findings highlight role changes, exhaustion alongside moments of regained energy, persistent anxiety and fear, and uncertainty about the future. Concludes that caregiver-centered, tailored nursing strategies and reliable information, social and financial support, and targeted psychological interventions are essential to improve caregiver well-being and support transplantation success.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryHealthcare

FormatPDF

Pages12

Reading Time30 min

AccessFree to download

Introduction

Materials and Methods

Results

Conclusion

Wiley Nursing Research and Practice Volume 2025, Article ID 6853960, 12 pages [https://doi.org/10.1155/nrp/6853960](https://doi.org/10.1155/nrp/6853960) Research Article Navigating the Lung Transplantation Journey: A Qualitative Study of the Caregivers’ Experiences and Needs Melissa Gonzalez-Alvarez , 1,2,3 Mar´ıa Jess Megido ,4,5 Guillermo Pedreira-Robles , 1,2 Astrid Escrig-Pinol , 1,2,6 Roser Escobar-Fornieles ,7 and Nria Fabrellas-Padres 8 1 School of Nursing, Hospital del Mar, Afliated With Pompeu Fabra University, Barcelona, Spain 2 Social Determinants and Health Education Research Group, Hospital del Mar Research Institute, Barcelona, Spain 3 Department of Medicine, Doctorate in Medicine and Translational Research Program, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain 4 Primary Health Care Services, Catalan Institute of Health, Barcelona, Spain 5 Jordi Gol i Gurina University Institute for Primary Health Care Research Foundation, Barcelona, Spain 6 Consortium for Biomedical Research in Epidemiology and Public Health, Carlos III Health Institute, Madrid, Spain 7 Department of Respiratory Medicine, Vall d’Hebron University Hospital, Barcelona, Spain 8 School of Nursing, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain Correspondence should be addressed to Melissa Gonzalez-Alvarez; [mgonzaleza@esimar.edu.es](mgonzaleza@esimar.edu.es)[ ](mgonzaleza@esimar.edu.es)Received 26 February 2025; Revised 22 September 2025; Accepted 27 November 2025 Academic Editor: Shashank Kaushik Copyright © 2025 Melissa Gonzalez-Alvarez et al. Nursing Research and Practice published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd. Tis is an open access article under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits use, distribution and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited. Introduction: Te burden of supporting patients undergoing lung transplantation often falls on family members, who become primary caregivers. Tis role signifcantly impacts their lives, leading to changes in family roles, physical and emotional exhaustion, and substantial psychological strain. Tis study explores the experiences, needs, and expectations of family members throughout the lung transplantation process. Materials and Methods: A qualitative study with a descriptive phenomenological approach was conducted between 2018 and 2022 at Vall d’Hebron University Hospital. In-depth interviews were performed with 31 adult relatives of lung transplantation patients. Data were analyzed using Colaizzi’s method, identifying central themes and subthemes to better understand participants’experiences. Results: Interviewees report having experienced changes in their family and social roles, attending the needs of others more than their own. Although exhausted on many occasions, they are surprised by how they can muster their energy at critical moments. Anxiety and fear are present throughout the process. Te future generates uncertainty. Te support of their relatives and healthstaf is crucial for them, but they believe that social and fnancial support should be increased. Conclusion: Family caregivers of lung transplant recipients face signifcant challenges, including role changes, psychological distress, and emotional ambivalence, which align with the transitional experiences described in Meleis’ theory of transitions. Efective support systems, including reliable information, robust social networks, and fnancial assistance, are crucial for helping caregivers adapt to these demands. Targeted psychological interventions and tailored nursing strategies can mitigate stress, improve caregiver well-being, and enhance the overall success of the transplantation process. Tis study highlights the importance of integrating caregiver-centered approaches into healthcare practices to address the multidimensional needs of this vulnerable population. Keywords: careg

FAQs

What challenges do family caregivers experience during the lung transplantation process?

Caregivers face significant role changes, psychological distress, and emotional strain, with anxiety and fear persisting throughout the journey. They may also feel exhausted while still finding energy at critical moments.

How was the qualitative study conducted?

The study used a descriptive phenomenological approach with in-depth interviews of 31 adult relatives of lung transplantation patients between 2018 and 2022 at Vall d’Hebron University Hospital. Data were analyzed using Colaizzi’s method to identify central themes and subthemes.

What support do caregivers consider crucial?

Caregivers report that support from relatives and healthcare staff is crucial. They also believe that social and financial support should be increased and value reliable information and robust social networks.

Sep 29, 2026

Upload by jayni