Development of an Information Guideline for Kidney Transplant Recipients in a Clinical Trial: Protocol for a Modified Delphi Method

Abstract

Background: Renal transplantation is the treatment of choice for most cases of end-stage renal disease. Recipients need to lead a healthy lifestyle to minimize the potential side effects of immunosuppressive drugs and improve transplant outcomes. There is not much evidence about the best way to increase adherence to healthy lifestyles in kidney transplant recipients, so one of the objectives set by the nursing team is to train people to acquire the necessary skills and tools to be able to take care of themselves. In this sense, the consensual development of appropriate materials may be useful and of interest.

Objective: The aim of this study was to develop an information guide for adults with kidney transplants to be assessed in a subsequent clinical trial as an intervention to increase adherence to healthy habits.

Methods: We used a 3-step, methodological, sequential approach: (1) training from a group of experts and item consensus; (2) review of the medical literature available; and (3) use of the Delphi technique with on-site meetings. A total of 5 nurses from the Community of Madrid Kidney Transplantation Unit in Spain were asked to participate. The patients’ lifestyle factors that, according to the medical literature available and experts’ opinions, have the greatest impact on the survival of the transplanted organ and the recipients themselves were all described.

Results: After using the modified Delphi method to reach a consensus on the items to be included and the information needed in each, an information guide for adult kidney transplant patients was developed. This guide facilitates the structuring of health care, information, and recommendations necessary for effective self-care for each person. The result is considered to be an easy-to-understand tool, useful for transplant doctors and nurses, in simple language, with information based on the latest scientific-medical evidence published to date, aspects of which will be evaluated in a clinical trial designed for this purpose.

Conclusions: Currently, this guide is the main intervention variable of a clinical trial (registered on ClinicalTrials.gov; NCT05715580) aimed at improving compliance with healthy habits in kidney transplant recipients in the Community of Madrid, Spain. The method used in its development has been useful and agile, and the result is a guide that can be easily updated periodically following the same procedure.