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A center-based approach to a transplant employment program
J M Carter1, R P Winsett, D Rager
1University of Tennessee, Memphis, Tenn., USA.
Nephrology News & Issues
|July 12, 2002
Summary
Returning to work after transplantation is crucial for patients. Integrating an employment specialist supports a proactive approach, enhancing quality of life and empowering transplant recipients.
Area of Science:
- Transplant Medicine
- Vocational Rehabilitation
Background:
- The return to work for organ transplant recipients is a long-standing discussion within the transplant community.
- Healthcare providers often inadvertently support a
- sick role
- rather than actively facilitating return to employment.
Observation:
- Patients returning to work post-transplantation may have been absent from the workforce for extended periods.
- Existing healthcare teams may lack the specific training or resources to adequately assist these patients with employment reintegration.
Findings:
- The addition of an employment specialist to the transplant team was instrumental in creating a proactive employment environment.
- This role facilitated a shift in patient care from a reactive
- sick role
- model to a proactive rehabilitation approach.
Implications:
- Integrating employment specialists enhances patient quality of life and empowers them to resume normal activities.
- A proactive, rehabilitation-focused approach improves patient outcomes and societal contribution post-transplantation.