Abstract

Aim.The aim of this study was to describe and interpret the life experience with heart transplantation. Part of the findings was about spiritual development of heart transplant recipients which is reported in this article.

Background.Heart transplantation is one the recent medical innovations that leads to increase in recipients’ life expectancy and quality of life however, these people will face some problems and need to have supported resources.

Method.This study was a qualitative study with phenomenology approach. Participants were 11 heart transplant recipients in Iran.The data was collected through semi-structured interview and analyzed with Dickelmann, Allen and Tanner method.

Findings.One of the main concepts of this study was approaching to God including "trust to God", "belief in destiny", "further belief in God", and "restricted religious rituals" which indicates the spiritual development.

Conclusion.Heart transplant recipients experience high level of spiritual and religious status which help them to overcome  hopelessness, unpredicted problems and heart transplant consequences by trusting God.