Department of Social Work

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Browsing Department of Social Work by Author "Barr, Lynette Salome Patricia"

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    The psychosocial implications of a heart transplant for a patient
    (Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 1992) Barr, Lynette Salome Patricia; Botha, N. J.; Stellenbosch University. Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences. Department of Social Work.
    ENGLISH ABSTRACT: In this study, research was undertaken to investigate the psychosocial implications of a heart transplant for a recipient. Seventeen recipients were personally interviewed by means of a questionnaire for this study when they attended the heart transplant clinic at Groote Schuur Hospital. Included in this sample were a twelve year old youth, as well as a recipient who had received his transplant as early as 1971. The questionnaire was compiled from information obtained via international literature. The literature reveals that a heart transplantation is a traumatic experience for a recipient. This form of surgical therapy cannot be viewed in a purely clinical light for it affects both the social and emotional spheres of the recipient's life. His employment situation is radically altered and his financial situation is usually adversely affected. He experiences role reversals in his family life or in his relationships, and his marital and sexual relationships are also affected. Immediately prior to and after the operation the emotions which he experiences are greatly heightened. Attention was also focused on the multi-disciplinary team approach which involves the recipient in an attempt to improve the quality of the services 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 productivity and meaningful lives. The aim of the heart transplant is to re-endow the recipient 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 he receives a new heart.