Meeting Psychological Needs of Liver Transplant Patients
"We Need to Do Much Better"
Addressing the Psychological Support Gap in Liver Transplantation
At the recent BASL (British Association for the Study of the Liver) Annual Meeting, PSC Support Head of Operations and Finance, Mark Chatterley, took to the stage at the transplant session to present striking results from a survey on psychological support needs for liver transplant patients.
In a follow-up conversation with Dr Andrew Yeoman, the two discussed the urgent need for a more holistic approach to patient care, the barriers patients face when opening up, and practical steps clinicians can take right now.
A Call to Arms for Holistic Care
Reflecting on Mark's presentation, Dr Andrew Yeoman praised the session as a powerful call to arms for the clinical community.
- A major issue in liver care is that clinicians are often not even asking patients heading toward transplant, or on the waiting list, how they are coping mentally.
- Dr Yeoman noted the absence of dedicated psychologists in certain areas, even though support is loosely outlined in current service specifications.
Taking Action: A Tiered Approach to Support
While waiting for dedicated psychological resources to be fully realised in our healthcare system, Mark proposed a pragmatic, tiered approach similar to models used in cancer care:
- For many patients, a simple routine check-in from their clinical team asking "How are you coping?" can alleviate significant anxiety by offering a safe space to offload.
- Patients needing additional help could benefit from peer-led support groups to connect with others facing similar journeys.
- One-on-one sessions with a psychiatrist or counsellor can then be reserved for those with more complex needs, ensuring care is tailored rather than a one-size-fits-all model.
Overcoming Barriers in Clinic Appointments
When asked what stops patients from speaking openly about their mental health during clinic visits, Mark shared his personal experience from spending over three years on the liver transplant waiting list:
"For me, a major worry was that if I did open up, it would affect my listing status... that it would affect my place on the list. And so I held back and held in." — Mark Chatterley
Creating a safe, non-judgmental environment where patients can speak freely without fear of compromising their medical care or listing status is vital for patient wellbeing.
Looking Ahead
Moving toward holistic care requires small, deliberate steps from both patients and healthcare professionals. Normalising conversations about mental health during routine clinical appointments is a step toward ensuring no patient feels isolated as they face transplant.
Ask the Expert
Dr Yeoman will be answering your questions about your PSC care in next week's Ask the Expert live webinar (22 Oct October at 7pm) - register here.