Patient Experience after Kidney Transplant: Factors That Lessen the Burden of Treatment after Kidney Transplant
E. Lorenz,1 J. Egginton,1 M. Stegall,1 R. Heilman,2 S. Nair,2 M. Mai,3 D. Eton.1
1Mayo Clinic, Rochester
2Mayo Clinic, Scottsdale
3Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville.
Meeting: 2018 American Transplant Congress
Abstract number: B206
Keywords: Adverse effects, Kidney transplantation, Psychosocial
Session Information
Session Name: Poster Session B: Kidney Psychosocial
Session Type: Poster Session
Date: Sunday, June 3, 2018
Session Time: 6:00pm-7:00pm
Presentation Time: 6:00pm-7:00pm
Location: Hall 4EF
Background: Patients face a daunting regimen of medications, health monitoring and medical appointments following kidney transplant. This workload of healthcare and its impact on patient well-being are referred to as treatment burden and can adversely affect adherence. Prior studies suggest that patients with multiple chronic conditions use a variety of resources to decrease treatment burden. The aim of this study was to identify factors that kidney transplant recipients use to lessen treatment burden after kidney transplant.
Methods: Qualitative interviews were conducted with kidney transplant recipients (n=27) from three Mayo Clinic transplant centers in Minnesota, Arizona and Florida. Interview data were analyzed using qualitative methodology. Two focus groups (n=16) were used to confirm interview data. This study was part of a larger project focused on the development of a patient-reported measure of treatment burden after kidney transplant.
Results: Analysis of qualitative interview and focus group data revealed four main themes of factors patients use to lessen treatment burden after kidney transplant: 1) organizational strategies (using pillboxes, creating a routine for self-care, using technology); 2) personal coping strategies (prioritizing a positive outlook, comparing themselves to others with worse health problems, maintaining autonomy, focusing on hobbies, turning to spirituality); 3) social support strategies (turning to friends and family for assistance, medical information and companionship); and 4) healthcare strategies (establishing beneficial relationships with healthcare providers, advocating for themselves as patients).
Discussion: Kidney transplant recipients use a variety of organizational, personal, social and healthcare-related resources to lessen treatment burden. Designing tools that not only measure treatment burden, but also patient ability to cope with post-transplant stress, could promote better care of kidney transplant recipients and improve adherence.
CITATION INFORMATION: Lorenz E., Egginton J., Stegall M., Heilman R., Nair S., Mai M., Eton D. Patient Experience after Kidney Transplant: Factors That Lessen the Burden of Treatment after Kidney Transplant Am J Transplant. 2017;17 (suppl 3).
To cite this abstract in AMA style:
Lorenz E, Egginton J, Stegall M, Heilman R, Nair S, Mai M, Eton D. Patient Experience after Kidney Transplant: Factors That Lessen the Burden of Treatment after Kidney Transplant [abstract]. https://atcmeetingabstracts.com/abstract/patient-experience-after-kidney-transplant-factors-that-lessen-the-burden-of-treatment-after-kidney-transplant/. Accessed October 15, 2024.« Back to 2018 American Transplant Congress