Sean Dicks

Sean Dicks

Sean Dicks is a clinical psychologist who has 20 years’ experience supporting both families of organ donors and transplant recipients. While it is rare for him to have contact with a donor family and recipient linked to the same organ donation-transplantation event, his contact with families who have lived experience with organ donation on the one hand, and patients who have received transplants on the other hand has provided opportunities to explore how their journeys become linked when they attempt to make sense of and find meaning in their respective crises. 

Sean has recently completed his PhD at the University of Canberra, Australia. His study explored the bereavement experiences of families of potential organ donors. In preparation for the empirical component of his research, he completed several systematic literature reviews which each explore aspects of the experiences of families of organ donors, transplant recipients, and healthcare professionals.  

One of those reviews sought to understand the relationship that develops between families of organ donors and transplant recipients. Drawing on literature from both sides of this relationship, a number of interesting observations were made. His presentation will focus on these observations, his experiences supporting families of organ donors and transplant recipients, and the findings of recent international studies that have explored the relationship and needs of the parties involved.