Considerations on health psychology upon family interview for organ and tissue donation

Abstract

Although legislation and the organ procurement teams for donation are composed by multiple professionals, the role of psychologists in these teams has not been reported in the literature. Purpose: to identify psychological aspects in the organ donation context and how the psychologist can act on the family approach process. Methods: This study comprises a review in the investigative review in the literature through bibliographic research within the 1997-2012 period from the descriptors: organ and tissue donation and pro- curement, health psychology, bioethics, death, mourning and intensive care unit. Studies found were categorized in 3 subsections: health psychology, the process of organ donation and psychological aspects involved in the donation and repercussions on the family approach. Conclusion: Health psychology has in its broad theoretical route practical conditions supporting the psychologist in the search to its inclusion in the organ procurement and donation, especially having their actions focused on the family acceptance and approach, and the subjective aspects in the process.