Lung Transplant or Bust: Patients' Recommendations for Ideal Lung Transplant Education. (June 2014)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Davis, LaShara A.; Ryszkiewicz, Eric; Schenk, Emily; Peipert, John; LaSee, Claire; Miller, Carol; Richardson, Greg; Ridolfi, Gene; Trulock, Elbert P.; Patterson, G. Alexander; Waterman, Amy
• Is Part Of: Progress in transplantation. Volume 24:Number 2(2014)
• Page Start: 132
• Page End: 141
• Publication Date: 2014-06
• Subjects: Transplantation of organs, tissues, etc -- Periodicals; Transplantation; Organ Procurement; Tissue Donors; Transplantation of organs, tissues, etc; Electronic journals; Periodicals; Periodicals; 362.1783
• DOI: 10.7182/pit2014432
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1526-9248

Abstract

Context: Effective lung transplant education helps ensure informed decision making by patients and better transplant outcomes. Objective: To understand the educational needs and experiences of lung transplant patients. Design: Mixed-method study employing focus groups and patient surveys. Setting: Barnes-Jewish Hospital in St Louis, Missouri. Patients: 50 adult lung transplant patients: 23 pretransplant and 27 posttransplant. Main Outcome Measures: Patients' interest in receiving specific transplant information, the stage in the transplant process during which they wanted to receive the education, and the preferred format for presenting the information. Results: Patients most wanted information about how to sustain their transplant (72%), when to contact their coordinator immediately (56%), transplant benefits (56%), immunosuppressants (54%), and possible out-of-pocket expenses (52%). Patients also wanted comprehensive information early in the transplant process and a review of a subset of topics immediately before transplant (time between getting the call that a potential donor has been found and getting the transplant). Patients reported that they would use Internet resources (74%) and converse with transplant professionals (68%) and recipients (62%) most often. Discussion: Lung transplant patients are focused on learning how to get a transplant and ensuring its success afterwards. A comprehensive overview of the evaluation, surgery, and recovery process at evaluation onset with a review of content about medications, pain management, and transplant recovery repeated immediately before surgery is ideal.