Aims and objectives:This study aimed to explore the experiences of liver transplant recipients during their journey through the treatment and their need for psychotherapeutic support related to this process.Background: Over time, measures of survival and quality of life in liver transplant recipients have continued to improve but their emotional needs remain under explored. In the longer-term recovery from transplantation, the focus shifts from physical health to psychological health. In the UK, there are no known embedded adult psychological services in liver transplant centres to react to this need.Design: A qualitative descriptive design was used.Methods: Grounded theory analysis was used to study the narratives of six adult liver transplant recipients. Through a process of coding, conceptual categories were established to describe the participant experiences. The study adhered to the EQUATOR checklist, SRQR.Results: Four categories emerged that were related to the experience of liver transplantation for the recipients. These were a process of adjustment, the phenomenon of waiting, liver transplant as a transformative experience and on the value of support. The participants identified a lack of psychotherapeutic support provided by the liver transplant service and felt that an embedded psychotherapeutic service would promote accessing such support during challenging times. Conclusion:Through the process of liver transplantation, recipients experience challenges with adjustment, waiting, feeling transformed and they value support with these feelings. In correlation with other studies, the findings of this study highlight the need for providing psychotherapeutic support within liver transplant services.

Introduction: Anxiety and depression in patients awaiting liver transplantation are associated with worse clinical outcomes. However, optimising patient mental health is not routinely addressed in pre-transplant care. Aims: To understand the prevalence of anxiety and depression in patients awaiting transplantation and their access to pharmacological and psychological therapies. Methods: Patients awaiting transplantation were offered screening for anxiety and depression using the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Screening (HADS) tool. Data pertaining to patient demographics and previous treatment for anxiety and depression were recorded and analysed. Findings: Over 50% of patients recorded abnormal scores for anxiety and depression. Of the 19 patients screened, 42% had received treatment for either disorder, and most found the intervention unhelpful due to lack of follow-up appointments and limited understanding of their underlying chronic liver disease. There was a significant association between female sex and screening positive for depression. Conclusion: Anxiety and depression are prevalent in patients awaiting liver transplantation. The integration of a psychologist into the transplantation multidisciplinary team may improve patient outcomes.