Table 2.
Framework for psychological evaluation and follow-up
| Aims | Potential problems | Interventions |
|---|---|---|
| Inclusion procedure | ||
| Selection of suitable and well-informed individuals for the trial | Psychiatric burden | Questionnairesa |
| Donor issues | Semi-structured interviews | |
| Unstable social situation | Establish contact for support regardless | |
| Relationship burdens | of inclusion or exclusion | |
| Medical issues | ||
| First 2 weeks | ||
| Medical/surgical stability | Adjustment disorder | Psychological supportb |
| Early return to function | High anxiety | Psychoeducation |
| Psychological stability | Medical threats | |
| Relationship burdens | ||
| Up to 3 months | ||
| Graft rehabilitation | Relationship burdens | Psychological supportb |
| Reestablish intimacy with partner | Donor guilt | Questionnairesa |
| Return to everyday life | Depression/anxiety | |
| Managing the waiting time prior to embryo-transfer | Medical threats | |
| Management of drug regimen | ||
| Up to 6 months | ||
| Managing the waiting time prior to embryo-transfer | Relationship burdens | Psychological supportb |
| Depression/anxiety | Questionnairesa | |
| Medical threats | ||
| Up to 1 year | ||
| Preparation for embryo-transfer | Relationship burdens | Psychological supportb |
| Depression/anxiety | Questionnairesa | |
| Medical threats | Semi-structured interviews | |
| Concerns of pregnancy and parenthood | ||
Notes:
a
SF-36, HADS, FertiQol at inclusion, 3 months, 6 months, and 12 months. DAS at inclusion, 6 months, and 12 months.
b
Elicit concerns and offer support. After transplantation, adjustment to the new body function supporting going back to ordinary life. At 1 year, preparation for transition to the second phase of the trial (embryo-transfer, pregnancy, and parenthood).
Abbreviations: SF-36, 36-item Short Form Health Survey; HADS, Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale; FertiQoL, Fertility Quality of Life; DAS, Dyadic Adjustment Scale.