Donor selection limits the application of living donor liver transplantation in the adult population. Unrelated individuals increase the size of the donor pool. Right lobe hepatectomy can be performed safely in healthy adult liver donors. Preoperative liver biopsy is an essential part of the evaluation protocol, particularly when the estimated graft mass is marginal.

Organ transplant has been developed in animal models over the past 100 years. The major limiting factor in transplant medicine is the shortage of donor organs. This shortage creates pressure for fair and efficient allocation of organs, with expectations that those involved in transplantation will strive to achieve optimal outcomes and ensure just access. This article reviews the major types of transplants and the illnesses and behavioral comorbidities that lead to these procedures, the psychological assessment of transplant candidates, the adaptive tasks required of the transplant recipient at various stages of the transplant process, and relevant psychological interventions. Liaison with others on the transplant team and ethical issues of concern to psychologists who work with transplant patients, including living organ donors, are also discussed. Finally, new developments in transplant and suggestions for future psychological research in organ transplant are presented.

This paper presents the details of the development of a scale designed to measure adjustment to ostomy surgery. A total of 53 ostomates responded to a mail questionnaire used for instrument development. Thirty of these also completed a retest. A 34-item scale comprised of items to be responded to on a 6-point Likert scale was developed. The scale was found to be reliable (a = .85, test-retest r= .72). Discriminant validity from measures of self-esteem and social desirability was demonstrated. Scores on the scale were related to time since surgery, return to work, and the amount of choice and preparation given a patient regarding the surgery. The scale also discriminated between actual ostomy patients and college students asked to simulate ostomy patients' responses. Factor analysis of the scale and the development of two short forms are also discussed. The scale appears to be a tool that will be useful in clinical practice with ostomates and in further research on adjustment to ostomy surgery.

This article outlines psychosocial and ethical issues to be considered when evaluating potential living organ donors. Six types of living donors are described: genetically related, emotionally related, "Good Samaritan" (both directed and nondirected), vendors, and organ exchangers. The primary domains to be assessed in the psychosocial evaluation are informed consent, motivation for donating and the decision-making process, adequacy of support (financial and social), behavioral and psychological health, and the donor-recipient relationship. Obstacles to the evaluation process include impression management, overt deception, minimization of behavioral risk factors, and cultural and language differences between the donor and the evaluator. Ethical concerns, such as the right to donate, donor autonomy, freedom from coercion, nonmaleficence and beneficence in donor selection, conflicts of interest, "reasonable" risks to donors, and recipient decision making are also explored. To fully evaluate living organ donation, studying psychosocial as well as medical outcomes is crucial.

This article outlines psychosocial and ethical issues to be considered when evaluating potential living organ donors. Six types of living donors are described: genetically related, emotionally related, "Good Samaritan" (both directed and nondirected), vendors, and organ exchangers. The primary domains to be assessed in the psychosocial evaluation are informed consent, motivation for donating and the decision-making process, adequacy of support (financial and social), behavioral and psychological health, and the donor-recipient relationship. Obstacles to the evaluation process include impression management, overt deception, minimization of behavioral risk factors, and cultural and language differences between the donor and the evaluator. Ethical concerns, such as the right to donate, donor autonomy, freedom from coercion, nonmaleficence and beneficence in donor selection, conflicts of interest, "reasonable" risks to donors, and recipient decision making are also explored. To fully evaluate living organ donation, studying psychosocial as well as medical outcomes is crucial.