Patient perceptions of factors influencing adherence to medication following kidney transplant

Research has shown that most patients with end-stage kidney failure prefer treatment by transplantation. This entails taking immunosuppressant drugs daily throughout the life of the kidney. Failure to do so causes transplant rejection and a return to dialysis, or sometimes even death. Up to 50% of transplanted patients report failing to take their medication as prescribed. This qualitative study used focus groups to explore patients' lived experience in relation to medication adherence. Data were analysed using thematic analysis. The main themes to emerge were: fear of kidney failure, loyalty to the renal team and donors, health beliefs, forgetting and side-effects. Reasons for adherence were to avoid kidney failure and to acknowledge their gratitude to the renal team and donors. Participants suggested that non-adherence was largely due to forgetting.