Following 10 years of descriptive quality-of-life studies, an innovative approach to outpatient care has been developed to decrease adverse events, increase employment, and enhance social support among renal transplant recipients. These 3 variables were found in the authors' previous studies to be predictive of increased quality of life following transplantation. With funding from the National Institute of Nursing Research, a multidisciplinary team has been assembled to implement the interventions identified. This article reviews the previous work that led to the development of the intervention study and demonstrates how research can guide practice.
Get full access to this article
View all access options for this article.
References
1.
HathawayDWinsettRPetersT. Psychosocial assessment of renal transplant recipients. Dialysis Transplant.1987; 16(8):442–444.
2.
HathawayDStrongMGanzaM. Posttransplant quality of life expectations. ANNA J.1990;17(6):433–439.
3.
HauserMWilliamsJStrongMGanzaMHathawayDK. Predicted and actual quality of life changes following renal transplantation. ANNA J.1991;18(3):295–304.
4.
BergnerMBobbitRCarterWGilsonBS. The sickness impact profile: Development and final revision of a health status measure. Med Care.1981;19(8):787–805.
5.
FerransCEPowersMJ. Quality of life index: Development and psychometric properties. ANS Adv Nurs Sci.1985;8(1):15–24.
6.
SimmonsRGMarineSKSimmonsRL. The Gift of Life.New Brunswick, NJ: Transaction Books; 1987.
7.
HathawayDKHartwigMSMilsteadJElmerDEvansSGaberAO. A prospective study of changes in quality of life reported by diabetic recipients of kidney-only and pancreas-kidney allografts. J Transplant Coordination.1994;4:12–17.
8.
HathawayDWinsettRPMilsteadJWicksMNGaberAO. Quality of life outcomes associated with variable posttransplant prednisone dosing regimens. J Transplant Coordination.1996;6(2):64–68.
9.
HathawayDKTolleyEABlakelyMLWinsettRPGaberAO. Development of an index to predict posttransplant diabetes mellitus. Clin Transplant.1993;7:330–338.
10.
HathawayDKHartwigMSMilsteadJElmerDEvansSGaberAO. Improvement in quality of life reported by diabetic recipients of kidney-only and pancreas-kidney allografts. Transplant Proc.1994;26(2):512–514.
11.
GaberAOHathawayDKAbellTCardosaSHartwigMSEl GebelyS. Improved autonomic and gastric function in pancreas-kidney vs kidney-alone transplantation contributes to quality of life. Transplant Proc.1994;26(2):515–516.
12.
HathawayDWinsettRPJohnsonC. Post kidney transplant quality of life prediction models. Clin Transplant.1998;2:168–174.
13.
HathawayDKCashionAKWicksMNMilsteadJGaberAO. Cardiovascular dysautonomia of patients with end-stage renal disease and type 1 or type 2 diabetes. Nurs Res.1998;47(3):171–179.
14.
NymannTHathawayDKBertoriniTEShokouh-AmiriMHGaberAO. Studies of the impact of pancreas-kidney and kidney transplantation on peripheral nerve conduction in diabetic patients. Transplant Proc.1998;30:323–324.
15.
HathawayDKCashionAKMilsteadJ. Autonomic dysregulation in patients awaiting kidney transplantation. Am J Kidney Dis.1998;32(2):1–10.
16.
CowanPAHathawayDKMilsteadJWicksMCashionA. Exercise and cardiac autonomic function of adults awaiting kidney transplantation. Clin Auton Res.1997;7:262.
17.
JohnsonCWicksMNMilsteadJHartwigMSHathawayDK. Racial and gender differences in quality of life following kidney transplantation. Image.1998;30(2):125–130.
18.
CetingokMHathawayDKReedL. Perceptual and behavioral manifestations of the chronic illness and recovery models among clinical transplant coordinators. J Transplant Coordination.1997;7(3):116–122.
19.
Posttransplant Quality of Life Intervention Study Group. Predictors of quality of life in renal transplant recipients help to bridge the gap between research and clinical practice. Am Nephrol Nurs J. In press.
20.
ChristensenAJTurnerDWSlaughterJFHolmanJM. Perceived family support as a moderator of psychological well-being in end stage renal disease. J Behav Med.1989;12:249–265.
21.
FrazierPADavis-AliSHDahlKE. Stressors, social support, and adjustment in kidney transplant patients and their spouses. Soc Work Health Care.1995;21(2):93–108.
22.
TracyEMWhittakerJK. The social network map: Assessing social support in clinical practice. Fam Soc J Contemp Hum Serv. October 1990:461–470.
23.
TracyEMAbellN. Social network map: Some further refinements on administration. Soc Work Res.1994;18(1):56–60.
