Medical Psychology and Psychonephrology: Contributions of Clinical Psychology

Abstract

Clinical psychology is developing into an integral part of modern health care delivery systems as evidenced by its role in the establishment of services in clinical psychology in general hospitals, training programmes in medical psychology, and the increased teaching of medically applied psychology in medical schools. This extended role of clinical psychology is discussed against the background of a subspecialization in psychonephrology. The aim is to illustrate the development of psychological treatment for chronically ill patients with end-stage renal disease, in the context of a developing country with a multi-ethnic society.

The Transplant Effects Questionnaire (TxEQ): The development of a questionnaire for assessing the multidimensional outcome of organ transplantation — example of end stage renal disease (ESRD)

“…These two dimensions tie in with earlier research ndings (Franke et al, 1999;Freyberger, 1983;Gubby, 1998;Kong & Molassiotis, 1999;Schlebusch, 1986;Schlebusch et al, 1989;Viederman, 1981). worrying over graft function and feelings of guilt towards the donor).…”

“…worrying over graft function and feelings of guilt towards the donor). These two dimensions tie in with earlier research ndings (Franke et al, 1999;Freyberger, 1983;Gubby, 1998;Kong & Molassiotis, 1999;Schlebusch, 1986;Schlebusch et al, 1989;Viederman, 1981). Patients' concerns regarding the viability of their transplanted organ are well rooted in reality despite the major advances made in recent years.…”

“…resuming an independent role, changes in physical and social activity), integration of the transplant to body image, and emotional responses, most notably feelings of gratitude and guilt towards the donor or donor's family as well as feelings of personal inadequacy and/or responsibility for ultimate graft survival (Bosnak, 1996;Bunzel, Schmidl-Mohl, Grundbock, & Wollenek, 1992;Bunzel, Wollenek, &Grundbock, 1992;Hathaway et al, 1990;Kuhn et al, 1988;Lewino, Stocks, & Cole, 1996;Mai, 1986;Rauch & Kneen, 1989;Robertson, 1999;Schlebusch, 1986;Schlebusch, Pillay & Louw, 1989, 1992Witzke et al, 1997). These include impact on family relationships, physical and psychosocial post-transplant adjustment (e.g.…”

Psychology in Developing Countries: Reassessing its Impact

“…In developing countries this category of research appears to be the most prominent. It also seems that the international scientific community does perceive (a) a key role for psychologists and psychological factors in the provision of health care (Holtzman, Evans, Kennedy, & Iscoe, 1987; Lolas, 1985; Neghme, 1985;Schlebusch, 1986), and (b) that this role is one which involves both indigenous and &dquo;imported&dquo; constructs, such as behaviour modification (Elder et al, 1989) and source credibility (Budden & Hossain, 1986;Hubley, 1986).…”

A Systems View of Chronic Illness and its Management

“…There are stages of adaptation or reaction to disease/illness apparent in each of the personal systems referred to above, with these stages documented with respect to certain diseases, for example, renal failure (Levy, 1978;Schlebusch, 1985). At any point, chronic illness in a patient can be seen as a function of the dynamic interaction of each dimension and personal component of the unhealth system, each at its own particular stage of development.…”