Profile and Social Assessment of Liver Transplant Candidates: A Retrospective Approach

• Published in: Brazilian Journal of Transplantation 2024-01, Vol.26 (1)
• Main Authors: Serrano, Cristina, Pereira, Vinícius Araújo, Barbeiro, Rafael Mangas, Duca, William José, Silva, Rita de Cássia Martins Alves da, Arroyo Júnior, Paulo César, Lemes, Jemima Domingos, Fortunato, Allana C., Virches, Adriano, Miyazaki, Eliane Tiemi, Sciarra, Adília Maria Pires, Silva, Renato Ferreira da
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• ISSN: 2764-1589; 2764-1589
• DOI: 10.53855/bjt.v27i1.545_ING

Introduction: The complexity of liver transplantation requires a highly qualified team, in which the social worker plays a crucial role in analyzing and intervening in the social situation of candidates. Objectives: To investigate the social profile of liver transplant candidates and relate it to the interventions and reflections made during the social assessment at the Hospital de Base Liver Transplant Unit. Methods:Based on the records of the Social Work, the information of the candidates evaluated between January 2019 and December 2020 was analyzed. This quantitative-qualitative, retrospective, descriptive and documentary study, with participant observation, was conducted from a dialectical perspective. Results: During the data collection period, 174 evaluations were obtained. Social profile: Average age 55.8 years, predominantly male (N=116; 66.7%), with a partner (N=129; 74.1%), living in municipalities in the state of São Paulo (N=124; 71.3%), incomplete primary education (N=68; 39.1%), low level of education (N=65; 37.4%), inactive in the job market (N=151; 86.8%), accessing social security benefits (N=120; 69%), positive acceptance of the transplant (N=158; 90.8%), nuclear family (N=120; 69%), offer of care and family adherence (N=172; 98.9%), partial access to medication (N=122; 70.1%), ease of access to the transplant center (N=157; 90.2%), per person family income of 1\2 to 2 minimum wages (N=107; 61.5%) and satisfactory/conserved housing standard and state of repair (N=157; 90.3%). Conclusion: The social profile of greater social vulnerability required more interventions in most of the 25 variables assessed, providing important elements for identifying and meeting the social needs of each individual.