Approaching a consensus: psychosocial support services for solid organ transplantation programs.

Abstract

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.