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Managing Medications During a Pandemic: A Mixed-Methods Study of Perception of Adult Kidney Transplant Recipients and Those Waiting for a Kidney Transplant

M. R. Wakefield1, C. M. Ashbaugh2, C. Richardson2, M. B. Stephens2, P. Yerram3, M. Freiburghaus4, M. Mercedes4, C. L. Russell4

1Surgery/Urology, University of Missouri School of Medicine, Columbia, MO, 2Transplant, University of Missouri Health Care, Columbia, MO, 3Nephrology, Harry S Truman VA Hospital, Columbia, MO, 4University of Missouri-Kansas City, Kansas City, MO

Meeting: 2022 American Transplant Congress

Abstract number: 1652

Keywords: COVID-19, Immunosuppression, Kidney transplantation, Outpatients

Topic: Clinical Science » Pharmacy » 30 - Non-Organ Specific: Clinical Pharmacy/Transplant Pharmacotherapy

Session Information

Session Name: Pharmacy II

Session Type: Poster Abstract

Date: Tuesday, June 7, 2022

Session Time: 7:00pm-8:00pm

 Presentation Time: 7:00pm-8:00pm

Location: Hynes Halls C & D

*Purpose: Patients interact with healthcare providers (HCP) and pharmacists to manage medications. Little is known about the impact of COVID-19 on medication management. The purpose of this study was to describe medication management, HCP/pharmacist interactions, and adherence, including initiation, implementation and persistence, during the COVID-19 pandemic in kidney transplant (KT) patients and those on the KT wait list.

*Methods: The IRB determined this study was exempt. Using a mixed methods design, 340 adults at a transplant center in the midwestern US were recruited. The Managing Medications in the Midst of a Pandemic Survey measured HCP/pharmacy encounters and medication management. The Basel assessment of adherence to medications scale measured medication adherence.

*Results: The sample average age was 58.2 years, 61% male, and 86% White. During the COVID-19 pandemic, 90% had/were currently practicing socially distancing, 87% had /were currently wearing a face mask when out in public, 19% had/were currently diagnosed with COVID-19, and 84% received the vaccine. Additional survey results include:

Medication management: 82% percent plan/organize their own medications.

Healthcare team interactions: 98% talked with their HCP since the beginning of social distancing; 13% delayed seeing a HCP because of COVID-19 concerns.

Pharmacy interactions: 11% changed their method of obtaining medications from pharmacy due to social distancing and 3.5% delayed refilling medications.

Medication adherence-Initiation: 2.5% were prescribed a new medication but did not begin taking it.

Medication adherence-Implementation: in the 4 weeks prior to the survey, 19% missed a dose, 6.7% skipped a dose, 16% took a medication more than 2-hour time difference from the prescribed time, and 2.5% altered prescribed amount.

Medication adherence- Persistence: 3.4% stopped taking a prescribed medication without a doctor’s order during the pandemic.

*Conclusions: A majority of the patients waiting for a KT and KT patients acted to prevent COVID-19 but some still contracted the virus. The pandemic changed medication management interactions with HCP and pharmacists. Adherence implementation problems were nearly 20%. Findings are relevant to transplant HCP and pharmacists, who must support patients attempting to manage and adhere to prescribed medications during the pandemic.

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To cite this abstract in AMA style:

Wakefield MR, Ashbaugh CM, Richardson C, Stephens MB, Yerram P, Freiburghaus M, Mercedes M, Russell CL. Managing Medications During a Pandemic: A Mixed-Methods Study of Perception of Adult Kidney Transplant Recipients and Those Waiting for a Kidney Transplant [abstract]. Am J Transplant. 2022; 22 (suppl 3). https://atcmeetingabstracts.com/abstract/managing-medications-during-a-pandemic-a-mixed-methods-study-of-perception-of-adult-kidney-transplant-recipients-and-those-waiting-for-a-kidney-transplant/. Accessed May 8, 2025.

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