The Structured Interview for Renal Transplantation--SIRT

Despite the fact that the demand for psychiatric evaluations of organ transplant recipients is increasing, there is not a commonly agreed upon protocol that can guide clinicians. A standard psychiatric interview, although necessary, is not sufficient when interviewing transplant candidates. In addition, it is important to acquire information specific to the medical regimen associated with renal disease and renal transplantation. The purpose of this paper is to present the Structured Interview for Renal Transplantation (SIRT). The SIRT was developed as a tool to guide clinicians through the interview process by providing a comprehensive structure while still allowing for flexibility. There are many advantages of using the SIRT--it is a tool that facilitates a clinician's ability to conduct a thorough evaluation in a time-efficient manner. It is also an excellent instrument for training clinicians, and the structure of the interview is appropriate for use in research.