Transplantation

Solid organ transplantations have become a routine medical procedure, with more than 28,000 performed in the United States alone each year. However, for the individual undergoing a transplant, it is anything but routine. A myriad of psychological challenges are faced by individuals at each stage of the process. This chapter begins with a description of the most common solid organ transplantations: kidney, liver, heart, lung, and heart–lung. It then provides an overview of the potential roles of the psychologist in the different stages of the transplant process and the psychological aspects of the process for the patient: being a candidate for transplant; the waiting period; the transplant surgery and postsurgical period; and, finally, long-term rehabilitation. Case studies are introduced to illustrate the role of psychologists in the pre-transplant evaluation and potential treatments to facilitate adjustment to transplantation. Finally, a discussion on the ethics of organ allocation, with a special emphasis on the role of psychologists, will be provided.