Approaching a Consensus: Psychosocial Support Services for Solid Organ Transplantation Programs

Background—

Solid organ transplantation has become an accepted treatment for individuals with end-stage organ dysfunction. Criteria are being developed in the United States to determine medical eligibility for transplant candidates and competencies for transplant centers and physicians. To date, similar criteria for psychosocial services have not been developed.

Design and Setting—

We queried participants in a specialty psychosocial transplant meeting to determine their views of which psychosocial services are essential to the comprehensive care of transplant patients in the United States.

Results—

There was broad based multidisciplinary support for proactive pretransplant screening to discern individual psychosocial needs; focused pretransplant interventions to improve candidacy and future compliance; and posttransplant programs that address psychosocial, rehabilitation, and financial issues.

Conclusion—

Among psychosocial providers of solid organ transplantation services, there is support for expanding routine screening and support services to individuals who are candidates for and undergo solid organ transplantation.

A Center-Based Approach to a Transplant Employment Program

The return to work after transplantation has been actively discussed in the transplant community for years. However, despite the desire for transplant practitioners to have recipients return to being healthy, contributing members of society as well as return to work, practitioners often passively support the sick role. We discovered that patients who are returning to work after transplantation may have been out of the work force for several years, and require assistance that we as healthcare providers were unable or untrained to provide. An employment specialist was added to the transplant staff and became a vital part of our attempts to create a proactive employment atmosphere and enhance our patients' quality of life. Adding an advocate for employment in our center has also facilitated the shift in our thinking and approach to care from the sick role to one of rehabilitation and from reactive to proactive. This change in attitude has assisted in empowering our recipients to feel as if they can truly resume a normal life.

Liver Transplant Recipients' First Year of Posttransplant Recovery: A Longitudinal Study

A longitudinal study of 20 liver transplant recipients was conducted to investigate their posttransplant recovery experience. Data were collected using semistructured interviews at 6 weeks, 6 months, and 1 year after transplantation. Qualitative analysis of data revealed physical, psychological, social, economic, and spiritual dimensions of recovery. Findings reflect ongoing improvement of physical health and functionality for most recipients. Those with continuing health problems often suffered from preexisting health conditions. Psychological adjustment was uneven, with intermittent periods of fear, anxiety, and depression. Some recipients reported short-lived split identities and personality changes. Social support of family was critical in the hospital and at home. Economic issues became primary by the 1-year interview, with all recipients questioning whether they could afford ongoing healthcare and medicines. Spiritual needs were met in secular and nonsecular activities. Findings suggest that healthcare personnel should attend to the lived experience of liver transplant recipients.