BACKGROUND: Our previous work has shown substantial national variation in the frequency of nephrology visits after kidney transplant. The low frequency of nephrology visits was associated with increased risk of transplant failure. METHODS: We performed a qualitative study that included interviews and 5 focus groups of transplant recipients. The study took place at a transplant center in the Upper Midwest. Participants (N = 39) were selected if they had at least one of the previously described risk factors for decreased nephrology visits: ethnic minority, lower median household income, and residence less than 10 miles from the transplant center. The goal was to assess patients' perceptions and beliefs and perceived barriers to regular nephrology outpatient visits. All transcripts were coded using software for qualitative data analysis. RESULTS: Transplant recipients understood the importance of keeping nephrology appointments and reflected positively on them. Regardless, they perceived barriers to adhering to the visit schedule, such as a value on self-reliance, which they described as increasing over time since transplant; a growing sense that they could interpret their bodies independently without needing to see the physician as regularly; and finally, the multitude of physical and mental health challenges inherent to posttransplant life. Other factors motivated patients to keep their regular nephrology visits, such as peer-support relationships and talking to other patients on dialysis therapy. Patients reported that talking to patients who had received a transplant before them helped them anticipate and cope with the mental and physical challenges associated with life posttransplant. A study limitation was that all participants were from a single transplant center. CONCLUSIONS: Although kidney transplant recipients understood the importance of keeping nephrology appointments, there were significant perceived barriers to these visits. Future interventions should address perceived barriers and motivate patients to keep regular nephrology visits posttransplant as a way to improve transplant outcomes.
BACKGROUND: Our previous work has shown substantial national variation in the frequency of nephrology visits after kidney transplant. The low frequency of nephrology visits was associated with increased risk of transplant failure. METHODS: We performed a qualitative study that included interviews and 5 focus groups of transplant recipients. The study took place at a transplant center in the Upper Midwest. Participants (N = 39) were selected if they had at least one of the previously described risk factors for decreased nephrology visits: ethnic minority, lower median household income, and residence less than 10 miles from the transplant center. The goal was to assess patients' perceptions and beliefs and perceived barriers to regular nephrology outpatient visits. All transcripts were coded using software for qualitative data analysis. RESULTS: Transplant recipients understood the importance of keeping nephrology appointments and reflected positively on them. Regardless, they perceived barriers to adhering to the visit schedule, such as a value on self-reliance, which they described as increasing over time since transplant; a growing sense that they could interpret their bodies independently without needing to see the physician as regularly; and finally, the multitude of physical and mental health challenges inherent to posttransplant life. Other factors motivated patients to keep their regular nephrology visits, such as peer-support relationships and talking to other patients on dialysis therapy. Patients reported that talking to patients who had received a transplant before them helped them anticipate and cope with the mental and physical challenges associated with life posttransplant. A study limitation was that all participants were from a single transplant center. CONCLUSIONS: Although kidney transplant recipients understood the importance of keeping nephrology appointments, there were significant perceived barriers to these visits. Future interventions should address perceived barriers and motivate patients to keep regular nephrology visits posttransplant as a way to improve transplant outcomes.
Authors: Cory R Schaffhausen; Marilyn J Bruin; Warren T McKinney; Jon J Snyder; Arthur J Matas; Bertram L Kasiske; Ajay K Israni Journal: Clin Transplant Date: 2019-04-21 Impact factor: 2.863
Authors: Ebele M Umeukeje; Marcus G Wild; Saugar Maripuri; Teresa Davidson; Margaret Rutherford; Khaled Abdel-Kader; Julia Lewis; Consuelo H Wilkins; Kerri Cavanaugh Journal: Clin J Am Soc Nephrol Date: 2018-03-15 Impact factor: 8.237
Authors: Ajay Israni; Carl E Dean; Nicholas Salkowski; Suying Li; Lloyd E Ratner; Hamid Rabb; Neil R Powe; S Joseph Kim Journal: Transplantation Date: 2014-09-15 Impact factor: 4.939
Authors: Martin Kumnig; Gerhard Rumpold; Stefan Höfer; Paul König; Bernhard Holzner; Johannes Giesinger; Eva-Maria Gamper; August Zabernigg; Andrea Hoflehner Journal: Wien Klin Wochenschr Date: 2013-11-16 Impact factor: 1.704
Authors: Sarah E Van Pilsum Rasmussen; Fatima Warsame; Ann K Eno; Hao Ying; Karina Covarrubias; Christine E Haugen; Nadia M Chu; Deidra C Crews; Meera N Harhay; Nancy L Schoenborn; Dorry L Segev; Mara A McAdams-DeMarco Journal: Transplantation Date: 2020-03 Impact factor: 5.385
Authors: Martin Howell; Germaine Wong; John Rose; Allison Tong; Jonathan C Craig; Kirsten Howard Journal: BMJ Open Date: 2016-01-25 Impact factor: 2.692