Comprehensive mental health care in a pediatric dialysis-transplantation program.

The dialysis-transplantation (D-T) program at The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto has a mental health component directed by a psychiatrist and a social worker. As of Jan. 1, 1975, 53 kidney transplants had been carried out on 44 children. Patients and their families are counselled continuously by the psychiatrist and the social worker before, during and after transplantation. Members of the multidisciplinary team meet regularly to plan treatment for the children. Mental health issues are an integral part of team discussions and help determine D-T program policy. Psychological preparation, mental health consultation, therapeutic intervention and continuous counselling prevent many of the mental health problems that plague a D-T program.