Lung Transplantation: A Job Not Only for Doctors

This chapter describes the professional tasks of non-medical staff planning, organizing, and assessing care and services for lung transplant recipients before, during, and after their hospital stay. The therapeutic actions for the transplant recipient have their main focus on the so-called support relationship which, in addition to promoting health, also fosters patient education (“Teaching”) to patients and family members. There is no doubt this is further supported by an empathic attitude, dealing with the patient’s most intimate feelings and favoring as much as possible a holistic approach to that person. It is essential to establish a communication with the patients to meet their physiological needs, but also those of knowledge, safety and self-esteem. This will allow them to feel less vulnerable, to have a more mature attitude and participation in the plan of care, and to comply with the treatments and indications of the clinical staff. An important section of this chapter is dedicated to the role of rehabilitation services, both respiratory and physical. This specific support is of utmost importance in the pre-, peri-, and post-operative care of lung transplant patients.