Social work interventions with living related liver donors: the implications for practice.
Living related liver donations are increasingly used to address the lack of organs available to patients faced with end-stage liver disease. A significant need exists for enhanced psychosocial intervention for donors. We sought to explore donor reactions by assessing psychosocial issues after donation. A descriptive review of donors was undertaken. The overall incidence of psychosocial issues after donation was examined by using a uniform interview questionnaire and by anecdotal case studies. Responses tend to indicate a general positive reaction to donation; yet, findings suggest a need for more preparation in the predonor stage, 100% social work follow-up after donation to provide needed support services, and inclusion of the donor as a critical partner in organ transplant treatment. A more extensive study drawing on the questionnaire may offer a standardized approach to the treatment of organ donors.
Schnurman
Kelli Kalimi
KK
Mount Sinai Medical Center, New York, NY, USA.
Zilberfein
Felice
F
Augurt
Antonia
A
Brosnan
Mary
M
Song
Yu Mee
YM
D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000328:Adult; D003376:Counseling; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D016031:Liver Transplantation; D019520:Living Donors / Q000523:psychology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D020380:Needs Assessment; D009518:New York; D012947:Social Work