What is the supporting role of health care providers from the perspective of patients with renal allograft rejection? A qualitative study.

Coping with the new conditions for patients with renal allograft rejection is a complex phenomenon influenced by a number of factors. It appears that the supportive role of health care providers in many aspects is 1 of the most important factors in patient satisfaction, increased quality of life, and application of proper coping mechanisms. This study explored the perceptions of patients with renal allograft rejection about the supportive role of health care providers. This study was conducted with a qualitative research approach and content analysis. Participants were 19 patients with renal allograft rejection in teaching hospitals in southeastern Iran who were selected by purposive sampling. Data were collected through semistructured interviews and analyzed by qualitative content analysis. During content analysis, 2 categories emerged: empathy and emotional support and educational counseling. These themes reflect the nature of patient perceptions of the supportive role of health care providers. The findings suggest that the supportive role of health care providers plays an important role in the promoting a feeling of comfort, reliability, and security in patients with renal allograft rejection and improves their coping mechanisms. These findings give health care providers greater motivation to provide comprehensive care from knowledge of their supportive role.