From Tools to Concepts: A Systematic Conceptual Review to Develop an Integrated Framework for Psychosocial Assessment in Transplantation

Kurzzusammenfassung in leicht verständlicher Sprache

In der Studie soll mithilfe einer Literaturanalyse eine gemeinsame Vorstellung darüber entwickelt werden, welche psychologischen und sozialen Themen in Fragebögen vor Aufnahme auf die Transplantationswarteliste erhoben werden sollten. 

Abstract

Hintergrund und Fragestellung
Psychosocial assessment is a core component of solid organ transplantation, yet currently used instruments are conceptually heterogeneous and lack a shared theoretical foundation. Key constructs are defined and operationalized inconsistently across tools. This fragmentation limits comparability across studies, reduces clinical interpretability, and may affect the quality of decision-making, particularly in liver transplant candidates with alcohol use disorder. Therefore, it is essential to clarify what these instruments actually measure and how underlying constructs are conceptually structured.

Methoden
We are conducting a preregistered systematic conceptual review of validated pre-transplant psychosocial assessment tools used in adult solid organ transplantation. Two independent reviewers will perform screening and data extraction. The unit of analysis will be the assessment instrument, including domains and item-level content. A dual qualitative content analysis strategy will be applied: a deductive approach to map explicit domains onto theory-informed categories derived from the biopsychosocial model and relapse theory; and an inductive approach to reconstruct implicit constructs from item content.

Ergebnisse
This approach will allow identification of the latent psychosocial constructs effectively captured by existing instruments. We expect to highlight conceptual overlap, inconsistencies, and gaps, and to integrate these elements into an Integrated Conceptual Framework capable of systematically representing the structure of psychosocial assessment in transplantation

Diskussion und Schlussfolgerung
This study aims to provide a robust and shared conceptual foundation for psychosocial assessment. The proposed framework may enhance coherence and clinical interpretability, facilitate comparability across studies, and support more transparent and equitable decision-making. Ultimately, it may contribute to the development of more standardized and clinically meaningful assessment models for transplant candidates with alcohol use disorder, with relevant implications for research, clinical practice, and the development of future guidelines in this evolving and complex field.

Interessenskonflikte sowie Erklärung zur Finanzierung
Ich bzw. die Koautorinnen und Koautoren erklären, dass während der letzten 3 Jahre keine wirtschaftlichen Vorteile oder persönlichen Verbindungen bestanden, die die Arbeit zum eingereichten Abstract beeinflusst haben könnten.