Session: Social Work Practice in Pediatric Chronic Illness: Research on Risk Factors, Assessment, and Intervention in Pediatric Solid Organ Transplantation (Society for Social Work and Research 29th Annual Conference)

Social work practice and research has an important role in the care of pediatric patients experiencing chronic illness. Pediatric organ transplantation is a complex treatment approach to end-stage organ failure that necessitates comprehensive psychosocial support to ensure successful post-transplant outcomes. Social workers play an indispensable role within multifaceted process and multidisciplinary team. Social workers in pediatric transplantation settings are tasked with a broad spectrum of responsibilities including evaluation of psychosocial risk factors, addressing the social determinants of health, and implementing tailored interventions to support patients and their families. Research into this care aids in the development of evidence-based practices which enhance patient health-related quality of life treatment adherence, and positive post-transplant health outcomes. As such, social work research in pediatric transplantation must focus on comprehensive assessments that identify risks and facilitate effective interventions to support medication adherence, mental health, and overall post-transplant adjustment.

The symposium comprises four papers that collectively illuminate the critical contributions of social work to the field of pediatric organ transplantation.

1. The first paper explores the relationship between the mental health of pediatric patients and their adherence to post-transplant medication regimes, emphasizing the role of mental health in successful health outcomes.

2. The second paper discusses the development of an ontology for identifying and coding social determinants of health, which is instrumental in enhancing the precision of assessments, prediction modeling of health outcomes, and development of interventions tailored to pediatric transplant recipients.

3. The third paper evaluates the effectiveness of social work's pre-transplant psychosocial assessments in predicting whether a pediatric patient should be listed for transplantation, as well as the types and patterns of each services and support that should be provided to the patient and their family.

4. Finally, the fourth paper introduces a mobile health application designed as an intervention tool for adolescent heart transplant recipients struggling with medication adherence, showcasing the potential of technology in supporting health behavior changes.

The goal of this symposium is to highlight the pivotal role of social work in the success of pediatric organ transplantations and more broadly a program of research within pediatric populations and their families experiencing chronic illness. By detailing the approach and findings from various research efforts, the symposium aims to reinforce the importance of research on psychosocial support in medical settings and advocate for integrated care approaches that encompass both medical and social aspects of pediatric patient care. Ultimately, the gathered insights are intended to foster improved social work practices and innovative research that can be applied broadly across the healthcare continuum to better serve pediatric patients and enhance their quality of life.