Life on Hold: The Experience of the Support Person Involved in a Lung Transplant Program

Abstract

Lung transplantation, which includes heart-lung, single lung and double lung, has been available as a therapeutic option for some patients afflicted with end stage irreversible pulmonary disease for only a short period of time (Griffith & Zenati, 1990; Morrison, Maurer & Grossman, 1990). One centre which offers lung transplantation has developed an intensive pre-operative assessment that applies stringent patient selection criteria. One of these requirements is the identification of a support person who is willing to accompany and commit him- or herself to the potential transplant candidate 24 hours per day for an indeterminate period. Because the transplant candidates are often disabled to a significant degree, this support person is mandatory. In most cases, the support person is a family member, but, any individual who has the trust of the patient and is prepared to fulfil the necessary commitment is eligible. The identification and selection of such a support person is unique and not known to be mandatory in other health care programs.