The transplant process is overwhelming. Follow these tips to communicate effectively with the transplant team:
- List the contact information of everyone on the transplant team.
- Put a copy in your wallet or purse, in the patient’s wallet or purse, on your refrigerator, and give copies to other support people.
- Try this Transplant Team Contact list.
- Prioritize a list of questions before you talk with the transplant team. (Think about using 1 notebook for all your questions.)
- Ask for help with health problems as they happen, before they become emergencies.
- Give accurate (correct) information to the transplant team.
- Ask if you don’t understand something.
- Be open and honest with the transplant team.
- Arrive early for appointments and be respectful of transplant providers’ time.
- Ask the transplant team where you can find medical information you can trust.
If you have a conflict with someone on the transplant team, ask yourself:
- Why do I find this person difficult?
- Is the conflict triggering other feelings (I’m not good enough, I’m a failure, I’m not accepted)?
- How do our differences in values, beliefs and culture affect our relationship?
- How do I add to the conflict?
- How does the environment add to the conflict (being in a hospital, unfamiliar location)?
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