Psychosocial needs of family members of liver transplant patients.

Recent literature is beginning to reflect the importance of psychosocial needs of liver transplant patients, examining functional outcome, quality of life, daily living, and psychiatric and neurocognitive outcome. Little attention has been paid to the psychosocial needs of the liver transplant patient's family or significant other. Family members, along with the patient, must cope with disease chronicity, an uncertain organ donor waiting period, role reversal, a protracted postoperative hospital course, and a complicated medical regimen after discharge. Consequently, demands on time, energy, finances, and relationships can strain an already stressed family structure. Psychosocial needs of the liver transplant patient's family are discussed in this article, including aspects of chronic disease, the transplant evaluation, the waiting period, the immediate postoperative period, and long-term adjustment and recovery. Nursing interventions to facilitate effective coping strategies are suggested. Gaps in the existing literature are identified and suggestions for future research are made.