Psychological and social aspects of heart transplantation.

During the past three years, some 180 patients were assessed as potential candidates for a heart transplantation at Papworth Hospital. One hundred of them underwent the operation. This report presents the views of a social worker about the psychological and social aspects of heart transplantation based on personal experience with these patients. The different stages through which a heart transplant patient progresses, from the onset of his illness until resumption of a normal life will be considered, focusing on what this author believes to be some of the important aspects of these stages.