An Exploratory Correlational Study in the Use of Mobile Technology Among Adult Kidney Transplant Recipients

Rapidly growing use of mobile technology provides a platform for self-management of care support for those with chronic conditions. Few studies have explored the characteristics or access patterns of kidney transplant recipients who use mHealth applications (apps) for self-management of care.

The primary aim of this study was to describe demographics, use, barriers, and perceptions of mobile apps for self-management of care among adult kidney transplants recipients. The secondary aim was to compare blood urea nitrogen, glomerular filtration rate, and number of hospitalizations among mHealth app users, other app users, and non-app users.

A cross-sectional design was used to administer the Mobile Application Use among Kidney Transplant Recipients Questionnaire. Descriptive statistics, χ² statistics, and analysis of variance were used for the primary aim and linear regression was used for the secondary aim.

The sample included mostly African American males (n = 123, 75.5%) with a mean age of 50 (13.2) years. Knowledge was the greatest barrier reported by the non-app users (mHealth app users 9%, other app users 12%, non-app users, 49%, P < .001). Significantly fewer hospitalizations were found in the mHealth app users compared to other app users (regression coefficient b = -1.2, standard error [SE] = 0.5) and non-app users ( b = -0.9, SE = 0.6), adjusting for patient demographic and clinical characteristics.

Findings suggest a relationship may exist between mHealth app use and a decrease in the number of hospitalizations following kidney transplantation.