Kidney transplant patients' attitudes towards self-management support: A Q-methodological study

- Identified 4 attitudes towards self-management support after kidney transplantation.
- Attitudes differ on life-focus, roles, responsibilities and support needs.
- Self-management needs cannot be predicted on personal or medical characteristics.
- Self-management support should be tailored to the patient's attitude.

ObjectiveKidney transplant recipients face many self-management challenges. We aimed to identify profiles of attitudes towards self-management support (SMS) shortly after kidney transplantation.MethodsProfiles were generated using Q-methodology: In face-to-face interviews participants rank-ordered opinion statements on aspects of SMS according to agreement. Socio-demographic and medical characteristics were assessed using a questionnaire. By-person factor analysis was used to analyze the rankings and qualitative data was used to support choice of profiles. The resulting factors represent clusters of patients with similar attitudes towards SMS.ResultsForty-three patients (mean age = 56; 77% male) participated. Four profiles were identified: (A) transplant-focused and obedient; (B) holistic and collaborative; (C) life-focused and self-determined; and (D) was bipolar. The positive pole (D+) minimalizing and disengaged and the negative pole (D−) coping-focused and needy represent opposing viewpoints within the same profile. Socio-demographic and medical characteristics were not related to profile membership.DiscussionEach profile represents a specific attitude on post-transplant life, responsibility for health and decision-making, SMS needs, and preferences for SMS.Practical implicationsPatients vary in their attitude, needs and preferences for SMS indicating the necessity of providing personalized support after kidney transplantation. Health professionals should explore patients' SMS needs and adapt support accordingly.