Exploring the Experiences of Patients Awaiting Liver Transplantation in Pakistan: A Qualitative Study

Abstract

Background: Patients awaiting liver transplantation experience physical, psychological, and social challenges that affect their quality of life and their families’ well-being. Objectives: This study investigated the experiences of patients on the liver transplant waiting list in Pakistan. Methods: This qualitative study, conducted in Pakistan in 2026, used a content analysis design. Participants included 20 patients awaiting liver transplantation who were recruited through purposive sampling. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews and analyzed using Landman and Graneheim's approach in conjunction with the constant comparative method. Results: The participants included 12 women and 8 men, with a mean age of 49.2 years. The mean duration on the liver transplantation waiting list was 42.8 months. The major themes and subthemes identified were as follows: life upheaval, including perceived burden on the family and enduring daily hardships; information seeking, including a constant search for information and seeking alternative treatment options; spiritual coping, including trust and faith in God and engagement in religious practices and rituals; and living with uncertainty, including dissatisfaction with life and struggling with the wait. Conclusions: Patients awaiting liver transplantation face complex, multidimensional challenges. Comprehensive support, including psychological counseling, informational guidance, and spiritual care, is essential to improve patient well-being and reduce family burden.