Exploring Transplant Medication-Taking Behaviours in Older Adult Kidney Transplant Recipients: A Qualitative Study of Semi-Structured Interviews

BACKGROUND: Today, older adult patients routinely undergo kidney transplantation. To support graft survival, patients must take immunosuppressant medicines for the rest of their lives. The post-transplant medication regimen is complex, and barriers to medication taking are likely confounded by both functional and intrinsic changes associated with advancing age. To develop diverse and innovative approaches to support best health outcomes in this vulnerable age group, it is imperative that the degree to which patients’ needs are currently being met, be identified. AIM: The aim of this study was to examine medication-taking behaviours of kidney transplant recipients transplanted at 60 years of age or older. METHODS: This qualitative study used semi-structured patient interviews to explore how kidney transplant recipients currently manage their immunosuppressant regimen and how they cope after transplantation with the complex routine. Data were themed using the principles of Grounded Theory methodology; with interviews conducted until data saturation was reached. RESULTS: Quantitative information was collected from 14 participants who ranged in age from 66 to 77 years (at time of interview), and were prescribed a median of 13 (min: 10, max: 26) medicines. The main themes that emerged from the interview were variability in health literacy toward medicines, the importance of support networks, the need to adjust health expectations, factors that were motivators for self-care, different approaches to medication management, and different approaches to medication taking. Overall, it was found that patients prioritised medication taking above all else, and gratitude to their donor was a powerful motivator to adhere. However, strategies to support medication taking were sometimes ineffective when patients’ routine changed. CONCLUSIONS: Future interventions should consider approaches to foster adaptable medication taking behaviours that stand up to changes in the day-to-day routine.