Organ Transplant Rotation

Location:  Nashville Campus

Supervisor:  Dr. Saundra Appelt Saporiti

Setting:  The psychologist on the liver, heart, stem cell, and kidney transplantation services is an integral part of the transplant teams at this regional academic transplant center, which operates in conjunction with Vanderbilt University.  Psychological evaluations of potential transplant candidates and their support person(s) are performed.  These evaluations involve a diagnostic interview, cognitive and personality assessment, and a collateral interview.  The psychologist formulates specific recommendations regarding suitability for transplantation, and possible interventions or behavioral markers which should be met before the candidate is listed.  Follow-up in regard to the patient’s progress in meeting intervention goals is an ongoing part of the evaluation.  Results of the evaluation are presented in an interdisciplinary team meeting involving psychologists, transplant physicians, transplant surgeons, nurses, and social workers.  Candidacy for transplant is decided at these meetings.  In addition to evaluation, psychological interventions (psychotherapy and support groups) are provided for pre- and post-transplant patients and their families/support persons. 

What Interns Will Do:  The intern and the staff psychologist attend team meetings together and are jointly involved in all aspects of the rotation.  A goal of this rotation is the objective assessment of the risk of noncompliance, including relapse to smoking and substances of abuse, presence of dysfunctional family systems, presence of psychopathology, and cognitive impairment, any of which might be a barrier to successful transplantation.  The intern must learn to communicate and report to non-mental health professionals clearly, both orally and in writing, and to work closely with medical center staff from a variety of disciplines.  In addition, the intern will attend the Liver Support Group for pre- and post-transplant patients, as well as provide psychotherapy to pre- and post-transplant patients, as needed.  

Research:  While there is no ongoing research project on this rotation, there is potential for research if the intern is interested in initiating a project.