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Updated: Jun 21, 2026

Digital Home-Monitoring of Patients after Kidney Transplantation: The MACCS Platform
Published on: April 12, 2021
Medication adherence in successful kidney transplant recipients
Todd M Ruppar1, Cynthia L Russell
1Sinclair School of Nursing, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65211, USA.
Objective:
To explore the medication-taking behavior of successful kidney transplant recipients and determine what behaviors were common among this group.
Methods:
Open-ended interviews were conducted by telephone with 19 individuals who had successfully maintained a transplanted kidney for 25 years or more. Data were coded by using a grounded theory approach to explore patterns of phenomena, common descriptions, and relationships.
Results:
Four themes emerged as participants described the behaviors they developed to adhere successfully to the immunosuppressive medication required for maintaining their transplanted kidneys. The themes were reminder methods, obtaining medications, maintaining routines, and problem-solving strategies. Kidney transplant recipients identified the importance of developing and maintaining medication-taking skills and routines on medication adherence. Problem-solving abilities were also valuable during times of disruption of normal routines.
Conclusions:
Interventions focusing on medication-taking skills, habit formation, and resources for problem solving may improve immunosuppressive medication adherence and clinical outcomes in kidney transplant recipients.
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Kidney Transplant II: Surgical Procedure
Kidney Transplant I: Introduction
Acute Kidney Injury IV: Diagnostic Studies and Prevention
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Chronic Kidney Disease III: Interprofessional Care

