Psychosocial assessment of organ transplant candidates. Current status of methodological and philosophical issues.
Psychosocial assessments of candidates for organ transplant surgery are conducted to ascertain that potential patients are likely to benefit from the surgery through adequate coping, good compliance, and commitment to rehabilitation. Such assessments must be based on a realistic analysis of the behavioral demands of the transplant patient's role. Reliability of psychosocial assessments has been established within some programs, but wide discrepancies in the psychosocial criteria that are used exist among transplant centers. Validation studies are needed, with particular emphasis on outcomes for the patient and family as a whole, that go beyond the question of mere survival.
Olbrisch
M E
ME
Department of Psychiatry, Medical College of Virginia (MCV), Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond 23298-0268, USA.
Levenson
J L
JL
D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D006801:Humans; D016377:Organ Transplantation / Q000523:psychology* / Q000534:rehabilitation; D010348:Patient Care Team; D010349:Patient Compliance / Q000523:psychology*; D010358:Patient Participation / Q000523:psychology; D018579:Patient Selection; D010552:Personality Assessment / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D010686:Philosophy, Medical; D011594:Psychometrics; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012803:Sick Role