The psychosocial implications of a heart transplant for a patient

[摘要] ENGLISH ABSTRACT: In this study, research was undertaken to investigate the psychosocial implications of aheart transplant for a recipient. Seventeen recipients were personally interviewed by meansof a questionnaire for this study when they attended the heart transplant clinic at GrooteSchuur Hospital. Included in this sample were a twelve year old youth, as well as arecipient who had received his transplant as early as 1971.The questionnaire was compiled from information obtained via international literature. Theliterature reveals that a heart transplantation is a traumatic experience for a recipient. Thisform of surgical therapy cannot be viewed in a purely clinical light for it affects both thesocial and emotional spheres of the recipient's life. His employment situation is radicallyaltered and his financial situation is usually adversely affected. He experiences rolereversals in his family life or in his relationships, and his marital and sexual relationshipsare also affected. Immediately prior to and after the operation the emotions which heexperiences are greatly heightened. Attention was also focused on the multi-disciplinaryteam approach which involves the recipient in an attempt to improve the quality of theservices rendered to him.This study shows that the rehabilition potential of most of tile recipients is good.Generally their lifespan is appreciably extended, and they have a renewed interest in living productivityand meaningful lives. The aim of the heart transplant is to re-endow therecipient with a normal quality of life. They experience a renewed sense of vigour,enjoyment and richness of life: qualities which had been absent since their illness.Despite the fact that the psychosocial demands made on the recipient are at times, intense,the end result of this operation indicates a definite improvement in his quality of life. It can thus be emphatically stated that the recipient receives the 'gift of life when hereceives a new heart.

[发布机构] Stellenbosch University