Editors' Note
June 2022
in “
Narrative Inquiry in Bioethics
”
TLDR Organ transplants can greatly improve life but also bring challenges, requiring empathy and better communication from providers.
The document discussed the experiences of organ transplant recipients, highlighting both the significant improvements in quality of life and the challenges faced post-transplant. David Slakter experienced a marked improvement in his life after a kidney transplant, while Leilani R. Graham faced severe complications and felt unprepared for the aftermath of her heart transplant. The symposium emphasized the need for empathy from transplant providers and included commentary articles offering insights into these experiences. Additionally, a research article explored the use of figurative language to better communicate patient suffering, identifying 13 themes of non-physical or psychological suffering. The issue also included a case study on the ethical challenges of conjoined twins.
