Abstract：
BACKGROUND: A growing body of research has examined the physical, psychological, social and financial impacts of living kidney donation. However, little is known about the unique experiences or additional burdens faced by living donors from regional or remote locations.
OBJECTIVE: To explore the experiences of living kidney donors who live outside metropolitan centres and to determine how support services could be orientated to better meet their unique needs.
METHODS: Seventeen living kidney donors participated in semistructured telephone interviews. Qualitative data were analysed using thematic analysis.
RESULTS: Eight themes were identified: (1) donor\'s emotional well-being is influenced by the recipient\'s outcome, (2) varied levels of access to medical support and other important services in rural areas, (3) travel takes a toll on time, finances and well-being, (4) varied level of financial impact, (5) medical, emotional and social challenges, (6) both lay and health professional support is valued, (7) varied levels of knowledge and experiences accessing information and (8) a worthwhile experience overall.
CONCLUSIONS: Despite many challenges, and travel adding to the complexity, rural living kidney donors generally consider it to be a worthwhile experience. The provision of additional emotional, practical and educational support would be welcomed by this group.
OBJECTIVE: To explore the experiences of living kidney donors who live outside metropolitan centres and to determine how support services could be orientated to better meet their unique needs.
METHODS: Seventeen living kidney donors participated in semistructured telephone interviews. Qualitative data were analysed using thematic analysis.
RESULTS: Eight themes were identified: (1) donor\'s emotional well-being is influenced by the recipient\'s outcome, (2) varied levels of access to medical support and other important services in rural areas, (3) travel takes a toll on time, finances and well-being, (4) varied level of financial impact, (5) medical, emotional and social challenges, (6) both lay and health professional support is valued, (7) varied levels of knowledge and experiences accessing information and (8) a worthwhile experience overall.
CONCLUSIONS: Despite many challenges, and travel adding to the complexity, rural living kidney donors generally consider it to be a worthwhile experience. The provision of additional emotional, practical and educational support would be welcomed by this group.
摘要：
背景：越来越多的研究已经检查了物理，心理,活体肾脏捐赠的社会和财务影响。然而,对来自地区或偏远地区的活着的捐助者所面临的独特经历或额外负担知之甚少。
目的：探索生活在大都市中心以外的活体肾脏捐献者的经验，并确定如何定位支持服务以更好地满足他们的独特需求。
方法：17名活体肾脏捐献者参加了半结构化电话访谈。定性数据采用专题分析法进行分析。
结果：确定了八个主题：（1）捐赠者的情感幸福感受到接受者结果的影响，(2)农村地区获得医疗支持和其他重要服务的水平不同，(3)旅行按时收费，财务和福祉，(4)不同程度的财务影响，（5）医疗，情感和社会挑战，(6)重视非专业和卫生专业的支持，（7）不同水平的知识和经验获取信息和（8）有价值的经验。
结论：尽管面临许多挑战，旅行增加了复杂性，农村活体肾脏捐献者通常认为这是一个有价值的经历。提供额外的情感，实践和教育支持将受到该小组的欢迎。
目的：探索生活在大都市中心以外的活体肾脏捐献者的经验，并确定如何定位支持服务以更好地满足他们的独特需求。
方法：17名活体肾脏捐献者参加了半结构化电话访谈。定性数据采用专题分析法进行分析。
结果：确定了八个主题：（1）捐赠者的情感幸福感受到接受者结果的影响，(2)农村地区获得医疗支持和其他重要服务的水平不同，(3)旅行按时收费，财务和福祉，(4)不同程度的财务影响，（5）医疗，情感和社会挑战，(6)重视非专业和卫生专业的支持，（7）不同水平的知识和经验获取信息和（8）有价值的经验。
结论：尽管面临许多挑战，旅行增加了复杂性，农村活体肾脏捐献者通常认为这是一个有价值的经历。提供额外的情感，实践和教育支持将受到该小组的欢迎。
