UHN Develops World-Unique Initiative to Care for the Mental Health of Transplant Patients – UHN Foundation

Transplants save lives and significantly improve the quality of life for transplant recipients. At the same time, it can leave patients with scars that go beyond physical scars. In fact, about half of organ transplant recipients suffer from depressive symptoms, anxiety, pain, fatigue, and sleep problems. These symptoms are often underreported and poorly managed.

“While we know that mental health issues are not necessarily central to the day-to-day management of these patients, […] Post-transplant outcomes are related to these issues,” says Dr. Istvan Muksi, nephrologist at UHN Ajmera Transplant Center. Dr. Mukshi has researched interventions to improve mental health that meet the unique needs of transplant patients and people living with chronic kidney disease. He has collaborated for many years with Dr. Marta Novak, a psychiatrist who established the Psychiatric Nephrology Department at the UHN Mental Health Center.

Dr. Mucsi and his colleagues have introduced a unique program at the Ajmera Transplant Center called the Emotional and Symptom-Focused Engagement for Solid Organ Transplant Patients (EASE-SOT) intervention to support all types of care needs. is leading. transplant patient.

The EASE intervention is an adaptation of one originally developed by Dr. Gary Rodin at the Princess Margaret Cancer Center to support patients with acute leukemia. His adapted version, EASE-SOT, aims to help patients manage the physical and psychological symptoms they face as they transition to post-transplant life. These symptoms include feelings of distress and anxiety associated with the transplant experience, as well as changes in lifestyle after the transplant. EASE-SOT includes supportive counseling sessions and symptom screening to closely support and monitor patients’ physical and emotional symptoms. Symptom screening tools can help inform a patient’s care team so they can take action to manage symptoms, if needed.

As Dr. Mucsi explains, challenges such as mental health concerns are often seen as unrelated to the transplant itself. “At the same time, it is very difficult to say with certainty that these are not transplant-related issues. Clearly, mental health issues are closely related to medication adherence, overall health, and quality of life. The clinical outcome of the disease depends on these symptoms and their appropriate management.”

The EASE-SOT intervention was shaped by a series of in-depth conversations the research team had with transplant patients, caregivers, and healthcare professionals. This provided a variety of perspectives to support the program’s goal of providing meaningful support to patients.

“These conditions, such as organ failure and transplantation, are extremely complex medically and psychosocially. We need diverse experience and expertise,” says Dr. Mukushi. That’s why the EASE-SOT team is united in our goal of meeting the full range of needs of transplant patients, leveraging support from psychosocial, supportive, palliative, and transplant care experts.

UHN is home to Canada’s largest and most successful transplant and mental health and palliative care programs, making it the perfect location for a successful program like EASE-SOT.

This is the first program of its kind in the world. Once developed and tested, the EASE-SOT program will become part of the care of all transplant patients at UHN, not just those showing signs of mental health concerns. According to Dr. Mkushi, “Providing this psychotherapy allows patients to think a little more openly about their mental health issues and allows them to legitimize these issues as issues that they can raise with the team.” Become.”

The research team hopes to provide patients with psychotherapy to help them cope with future stressors.

Before being rolled out to transplant patients, the EASE-SOT program must first be carefully evaluated through a series of studies to demonstrate that it is feasible and effective. Dr. Mukshi and his colleagues already have the next phase of the program in mind: supporting caregivers. Family members and loved ones play a large supportive role in the care of transplant patients. Carers face enormous pressure and stress, yet there is little support available to them.

Over the past few years, Dr. Mukshi and his colleagues have heard directly from caregivers that they need help.

“Their presence and contributions are essential, but their care needs may not be fully recognized and addressed,” says Dr. Mkushi. He and his colleagues are participating in an exciting study being conducted across Canada to learn more about how transplant centers can support caregivers.

In the coming years, the EASE-SOT program will help hospital transplant centers around the world provide care for patients and caregivers, from supporting patients’ mental health to helping caregivers stay well during difficult times. can make a real difference to the way you do things.