Coping with uncertainty and ambivalence while awaiting a cadaveric renal transplant.

A qualitative approach was used to identify concerns of candidates awaiting cadaveric renal transplant and to identify coping strategies used during the wait. Patients who were within 10 days postrenal transplant were interviewed and asked to recall their concerns during the wait. Two major concerns were identified through the analysis--uncertainty and ambivalence. The problems are presented with supporting vignettes and strategies used by the subjects to cope with the problem.