Lut Berben|Kris Denhaerynck|Fabienne Dobbels|Sandra Engberg|Johan Vanhaecke|María G. Crespo?Leiro|Cynthia L. Russell|Sabina De Geest
Building research initiative group: chronic illness management and adherence in transplantation (<scp>BRIGHT</scp>) study: study protocol
University of Basel|KU Leuven|University of Basel|KU Leuven|University of Pittsburgh|Complexo Hospitalario Universitario A Coruña|University of Missouri–Kansas City|University of Basel|KU Leuven
abstract aim article describes rationale design methodology b uilding r esearch nitiative g roup chronic illness management ad h erence ransplantation bright study study heart transplant patients 1 describe practice patterns relating chronic illness management 2 assess prevalence variability nonadherence treatment regimen 3 determine multilevel factors related immunosuppressive medication nonadherence background unaltered longterm prognosis heart transplantation underscores urgent need identify improve factors related survival outcomes healthcare system eg level chronic illness management implemented patient selfmanagement major drivers outcome improvement design study uses survey design 40 heart transplant centres covering 11 countries four continents methods theoretical frameworks informed variable selection measured established investigatordeveloped instruments heart transplant recipients outpatient clinicians programmes directors complete survey staged convenience sampling strategy implemented heart transplant centres countries continents depending centres size random sample 2560 patients selected n estimated 1680 heart transplant recipients five randomly selected clinicians medical director centre invited participate conclusion first multicentre multicontinental study examining healthcare system heart transplant centres chronic illness management practice patterns potential correlates immunosuppressive medication nonadherence knowledge gained inform clinicians researchers healthcare policy makers levels interventions need implemented improve longterm outcomes transplant recipients