Therapeutic Regimen Adherence and Risk of Renal Graft Loss: Nurse Interventions

Abstract

Kidney transplantation is considered the best therapeutic option and survival is dependent on adherence to the drug regimen. Adherence to the therapeutic regime thus becomes the key to success. However, the literature shows that not all patients are adherent, and readmission due to graft dysfunction is a reality. Although a direct relationship between adherence to the therapeutic regimen and graft dysfunction cannot be attributed, the issue of adherence is far from not deserving the attention of health professionals. This text aims to identify the importance of nursing interventions in promoting adherence to the therapeutic regimen. In an exploratory approach to the process of adherence, and reflecting on concordance and its relevance to adherence, given the heterogeneity of both definitions, we aimed to study the nurses’ role and the type of interventions to promote adherence to the therapeutic regimen in transplanted renal patients. We conclude that education and counselling are the predominant interventions and that concordance is part of this practice, where the expected outcome is kidney graft survival as a consequence of adherence to the therapeutic regimen.