Psychiatry and Medical Progress: Therapeutic Considerations

Abstract

Advances in medical technology have spurred interest in psychosocial adaptation to newer procedures, such as cardiac operations, chronic hemodialysis and renal transplantation. In spite of this interest, investigators have paid little attention to psychotherapeutic measures involved in the care of patients undergoing these procedures. This presentation reviews the available work in this area and brings together common themes related to the preparation and psychological treatment of these patients. These themes center around the importance of a continuous relationship with the patient which begins in the preoperative and pretreatment phase, the value of exploring in a nonthreatening fashion conflicts and fears aroused by the procedure, the need to counteract the non-human and impersonal aspects associated with medical progress, and the role of psychiatrist as the mediator between the patient and those involved in his care.