A Field in Transition: A Scoping Review and Thematic Network Map of Qualitative Health Research in Liver Transplantation

BACKGROUND

In liver transplantation, qualitative methodologies can offer important insights from a range of perspectives into the meaning and impact of health experiences. This review aims to characterize the existing qualitative research in liver transplantation to understand how this work has evolved over time, its contribution to understanding clinical issues, and to conceptualize under-developed areas for future research.

METHODS

Studies from MEDLINE, Embase, Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, CENTRAL, CINAHL, and Web of Science were searched from database inception to January 2024. All English language studies focused on a liver transplant population with qualitative methodological components were included. Using VOSviewer network mapping software we constructed a visualization of the thematic networks within included studies.

RESULTS

Our initial search yielded 9092 studies from which 229 were included in the final review. Data extraction revealed significant increases in the publication of qualitative studies since 2015, predominantly utilizing interviews and focus groups. The thematic network map we constructed placed “social support” as a dominant and central concept across many different studies, with related themes tending to cluster within four domains of research: Care of the Organ & Patienthood; Identity, Embodiment, Adjustment; Relational & Ethical Issues; Existential Themes. Medicalized subject such as “self-management” were less well-networked with identity-related, ethical, and existential topics.

DISCUSSION

There is a growing body of rich qualitative research in liver transplantation. Future research would benefit from more longitudinal approaches as well as increased attention to the interrelation between “clinical” issues (adherence, quality of life) and ethical, relational, and existential ones.