SELF-MANAGEMENT BEHAVIORS IN KIDNEY TRANSPLANT RECIPIENTS: QUALITATIVE CONTENT ANALYSIS

Self-management in kidney transplant patients leads to increased tissue survival time, reduced graft rejection, early identification of drug side effects, and increased quality of life. Kidney transplant patients have poor self-management behaviors. Knowing how kidney transplant patients should encounter and manage them will improve transplant outcomes. This study was conducted to explain the self-management behaviors of kidney transplant recipients.

This qualitative study was done with eighteen participants. Participants were selected through purposive sampling. Data were collected through in-depth and semi-structured interviews and analyzed through qualitative conventional content analysis.

The findings included a theme of trying to achieve balance and stability in life and six main categories of lifestyle modification, physical self-care, self-efficacy, resilience, adaptation to new roles and treatment management.

The results showed the participants tried to achieve balance and stability after a kidney transplant. A kidney transplant can be considered an event that initiates a period of instability after a long period of illness and health deterioration. Therefore, self-management programs should focus on supporting patients in restoring stability in their lives after kidney transplantation.