Employment and Patient Satisfaction after Liver Transplantation

Design and evaluation of an educational mobile program for liver transplant patients

BACKGROUND

Liver transplantation, the last treatment for advanced liver failure, necessitates patient education due to its wide range of complications and subsequent disabilities. The present study was development-applied research and aimed to design a mobile-based educational program to provide liver transplant patients with critical health information.

METHODS

In the first phase of the study, the crucial educational components were collected from the literature and organized in the form of a questionnaire using library studies and available global guidelines. The validity and reliability of this researcher-made questionnaire were confirmed by a panel of experts (n = 15), including gastroenterologists and liver specialists working in the Motahari liver clinic and AbuAli Sina Hospital in Shiraz. The application was designed followed by analyzing the data gathered from the first phase. To evaluate the mobile phone program's usability, to evaluate the application, 30 liver transplant patients were randomly selected.

RESULTS

Most educational components covered in the questionnaire were deemed necessary by experts in the first phase. As a result, the educational contents were classified under 10 categories. The application had a good level of usability since the participants' satisfaction score was 8.1 (out of 9 points).

CONCLUSIONS

Due to the increase in liver transplantation and the use of mobile phones, applications increase the patient's role in their health, and their awareness. It also leads to a better interaction and follow-up of the patient, the treatment staff of the medical centers.

Factors influencing employment rates and states after liver transplantation in China: A multi-centre cross-sectional study

AIM

The aim of this study was to assess employment rates and states and the factors influencing liver transplant recipients in China.

DESIGN

A cross-sectional study.

METHODS

A total of 212 liver transplant recipients were included in this study. Questionnaires for general situation information and the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, Perceived Social Support Scale and Chronic Disease Self-Efficacy Scale were used.

RESULTS

Among the liver transplantation, 212 recipients were included in the study, 125 (59%) were employed after liver transplantation compared with 148 (69.8%) who were employed before liver transplantation. Among the 125 recipients that returned to work, only 38.2% thought their employment states were good before liver transplantation, while 81.6% thought that their employment states were good after liver transplantation. Gender, age and employment status before transplantation, aetiology of liver disease, number of physical activities, per capita monthly income, comorbidity and depression were significantly associated with return to work. Self-efficacy, social support, liver function and nature of work were significantly associated with employment state.

Rates of employment after liver transplant: A nationwide cohort study

BACKGROUND

Employment outcomes after liver transplant (LT) over the past decade have not been described.

METHODS

LT recipients ages 18-65 from 2010-2018 were identified in Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network data. Employment within two years post-transplant was assessed.

RESULTS

Of 35,340 LT recipients, 34.2% were employed post-LT, including 70.4% who were working pre-transplant, compared to only 18.2% not working preLT. Younger age, male sex, educational attainment, and functional status were associated with returning to employment.

CONCLUSION

Returning to employment is an important goal for many LT candidates and recipients, and these findings can be used to guide their expectations.