Patient perspectives on liver transplant evaluation: A qualitative study

Area of Science:

• Transplant Surgery
• Patient Experience
• Healthcare Navigation

Background:

• Liver transplant (LT) evaluation is a complex, multi-step process.
• Patients may struggle to navigate this process, leading to disengagement and negative health outcomes.

Purpose of the Study:

• To identify and characterize patients' perceptions of undergoing LT evaluation.
• To understand factors influencing patient engagement in the LT evaluation process.

Main Methods:

• Conducted 14 semi-structured interviews (30-45 minutes each) with LT patients.
• Utilized the constant comparison method for thematic analysis of interview data.

Main Results:

• Identified 5 thematic dimensions of patient engagement: psychological impact, information received, prior medical experience, communication, and support systems.
• Uncovered 8 distinct themes within these dimensions.

Conclusions:

• Patient engagement in LT evaluation is multi-dimensional.
• Findings highlight the importance of psychological impact, information, prior experience, communication, and support systems.
• Results can inform targeted interventions to enhance patient engagement in LT evaluations.