Team members

• Mag.^a Nadin Haslwanter-Egger
• GfOÄⁱⁿ Dr.ⁱⁿ Claudia Kohl
• Mag. Dr. Stephan Pallua
• Mag.^a Dr.ⁱⁿ Marion Platter

Forschungsschwerpunkt

Die Innsbrucker Universitätskliniken mit den multidisziplinäre zusammenarbeitenden Abteilungen zählen zu einem der größten Transplantationszentren im deutschsprachigen Raum und sind eine der wenigen Kliniken Europas, die das gesamte Spektrum der Organtransplantation abdecken. Das Innsbrucker Transplantationszentrum umfasst alle interdisziplinären Schwerpunkte der modernen Transplantationsmedizin.

Wir als interdisziplinäre Arbeitsgruppe Transplantationsmedizin verstehen uns als bio-psycho-soziales State-of-the-Art Kompetenzzentrum mit elaborierten Protokollen hinsichtlich des psychosozialen Assessments, Verlaufskontrolle und therapeutischen Behandlung von Transplantkandidat:innen wie auch Organspender:innen, aller Altersgruppen und Organentitäten (Niere, Leber, Herz, Lunge, Knochenmark/Blutstammzellen, Pankreas), wie für rekonstruktive Transplantationen.

Einen besonderen Stellenwert erhält das psychosoziale Assessment und die Versorgung von Kandidat:innen für Vascularized Composite Allotransplantationen (VCA) die an den Innsbrucker Universitätskliniken durchgeführt werden. Einerseits erfolgt die psychosoziale Evaluation von potentiellen Kandidat:innen für uni- und bilaterale rekonstruktive Handtransplantationen am Zentrum (in Zukunft geplant: Uterustransplantationen), andererseits werden bereits transplantierte Patient:innen anhand eines spezifischen Follow-up Protokolls psychosozial evaluiert und supportiv begleitet.

Research Focus 

The Innsbruck University Clinics, with their multidisciplinary and highly collaborative departments, constitute one of the largest transplantation centers in the German-speaking region and rank among the few institutions in Europe that provide the full spectrum of organ transplantation. The Innsbruck Transplantation Center integrates all interdisciplinary domains of contemporary transplantation medicine.

Within this setting, the Transplantation Psychology Unit defines itself as a state-of-the-art biopsychosocial competence center. Our work is guided by advanced, evidence-based protocols for psychosocial assessment, longitudinal monitoring, and therapeutic intervention for transplant candidates and organ donors across all age groups and organ types (kidney, liver, heart, lung, bone marrow/hematopoietic stem cells, pancreas), as well as for reconstructive transplantations.

A particular area of focus lies in the psychosocial evaluation and care of candidates undergoing Vascularized Composite Allotransplantation (VCA) at the Innsbruck University Clinics. This includes comprehensive psychosocial assessments of potential candidates for uni- and bilateral reconstructive hand transplantations (with uterine transplantation programs in preparation), as well as structured, protocol-based psychosocial follow-up and supportive care for patients post-transplantation.

What are we currently working on?

Vascularized composite allotransplantation (VCA) has emerged as a promising reconstructive transplantation technique, but given the complexities intrinsic to composite grafts, the implementation of VCA programs requires a dedicated and multidisciplinary approach that considers multidimensional facts to provide best outcomes. Recent research investigated the role of these factors, e.g. team science, interdisciplinary cooperation and communication, and shared decision-making, when establishing and maintaining a VCA program. Also psychosocial predictors are pivotal elements in ensuring long-term transplant success.

• Peer Mentoring Curriculum for Kidney Transplant Patients
• Development of a Transplant Medication Adherence Questionnaire (TMAQ®) based on the five dimensional adherence model of the WHO
• Development of assessment guidelines for the psychosocial assessment of donors and recipients of directed non-related living organ donations
• Development of health guidelines for kidney transplant patients and living kidney donors: addressing nutrition, sports, alcohol and nicotine consumption after transplantation
• Psychosocial evaluation, follow-up and care program for uterus transplantation at the Medical University of Innsbruck

Recent Publications:

• The Integration of Psychosocial Care, Ethical Governance, and Patient-Centered Research in Current and Future Approaches in the Field of Vascularized Composite Allotransplantation.
  Kumnig M, Hopfgartner L, Brandacher G. Front in Transplant 2026, accepted for publication and in print.
• The Critical Role of Mental Health Specialists in Organ Transplantation Teams: A ELPAT Position Statement.
  Mega I, Almeida M, Buchholz A, Heape R, Kumnig M, Massey E, Nöhre M, Skorzewski A, Maple H. Transplant Int 39:15605. doi: 10.3389/ti.2026.15605.
• Psychological and Sociodemographic Predictors for Waitlist Enrollment, Liver Transplantation and Overall Survival.
  Lentsch J, Troppmair MR, Kohl C, Haslwanter-Egger N, Bath M, Oberhuber R, Tilg H, Zoller H, Schäfer B (2025). Z Gastroenterol 2025: e335-e336, DOI: 10.1055/s-0045-1809227
• Advancing vascularized composite allotransplantation: Essential factors for upper extremity transplant program development.
  Kumnig M, Kobler C, Zaccardelli A, Brandacher G, Talbot SG (2024). Frontiers in Transplantation, 3, DOI: 10.3389/frtra.2024.1406626.
• Editorial: Psychosocial and Bioethical Challenges and Developments for the Future of Vascularized Composite Allotransplantation.
  Kumnig M., Hummel NR, Jowsey-Gregoire, S., Zuo KJ, Gordon E., Talbot S. Front Psychol. 2023 March: accepted for e-publication in Frontiers special issue Psychosocial and Bioethical Challenges and Developments for the Future of Vascularized Composite Allotransplantation.
• Psychosocial predictors in upper-extremity vascularized composite allotransplantation: A qualitative study of multidimensional experiences including patients, healthcare professionals, and close relatives.
  Hummel NR, Zuo KJ, Talbot S, Zimmerman ZE, Katz JN, Kinsley SE, Kumnig M. Front Psychol. 2023 Feb 9;14:1092725. doi: 10.3389/fpsyg.2023.1092725.
• Psychosocial and bioethical challenges and developments for the future of vascularized composite allotransplantation: A scoping review and viewpoint of recent developments and clinical experiences in the field of vascularized composite allotransplantation.
  Kumnig M, Jowsey-Gregoire SG, Gordon EJ, Werner-Felmayer G. Front Psychol. 2022 Dec 15;13:1045144. doi: 10.3389/fpsyg.2022.1045144.
• Vascularized composite allotransplantation: emerging psychosocial issues in hand, face, and uterine transplant.
  Kumnig M, Järvholm S. Curr Opin Organ Transplant. 2022 Dec 1;27(6):501-507. doi: 10.1097/MOT.0000000000001028.
• The Chauvet Workgroup: A Resource for the Psychosocial Aspects of Reconstructive Transplantation.
  Kumnig M, Jowsey-Gregoire SG, Bellew M, Dean W, Järvholm S, Coffman K, Brown C, Moreno E, Talbot SG, Morelon E, Petruzzo P, Amer H. Mayo Clin Proc. 2022 Jun;97(6):1050-1053. doi: 10.1016/j.mayocp.2022.02.003.