Barriers to Post-Kidney Transplant Treatment during the COVID-19 Pandemic and Associated Conditions.

The coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic changed the routine of transplant programs, creating challenges for the continuity of treatment. Thus, this study aimed to describe the barriers kidney transplant (KT) recipients reported following treatment during the COVID-19 pandemic. It is a cross-sectional observational study with 88 patients. The data were collected from October to November 2021 at the University Hospital of the Federal University of Juiz de Fora (HU-UFJF). Descriptive data analysis and a chi-square test were performed. The barriers identified were psychosocial: increased level of worry (76.2%) and fear of graft loss (36.5%). There was a change in the consultation schema for 59.1%; 63.4% reported difficulty adapting to telemedicine; and 49.8% needed family assistance to follow the treatment. Difficulties were more frequent among men (51.2%). The findings may help the multidisciplinary team in understanding where to act and creating strategies to ensure the continuity of treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]