Intervention toolbox to promote immunosuppressant therapy adherence in adult renal transplant recipients

Abstract

Objectives: To provide a brief overview of published immunosuppressant therapy (IST) adherence interventions in adult renal transplant recipients (RTRs) and to describe the utility and aspects of an adherence toolbox for adult RTRs.

Setting: National independent specialty pharmacy.

Practice description: IST adherence is critical to graft survival after a renal transplant. However, IST nonadherence occurs in a large proportion of adult RTRs. Although effective intervention strategies are needed to improve IST adherence, few intervention studies have been conducted in the adult RTR population. To address this gap in the literature, a randomized controlled trial of a patient-specific behavioral contracts intervention to improve IST adherence among adult RTRs has been implemented.

Practice innovation: During the behavioral contracts intervention, researchers have developed a toolbox of practical and replicable items and strategies to address forgetfulness and confusion as barriers to IST adherence.

Conclusion: An adherence toolbox that includes simple, practical, accessible mechanisms and strategies to improve IST adherence may benefit adult RTRs.