Barriers to Adherence to Medical Care Programs in Liver Transplant Recipients: A Qualitative Study

Background: Non-adherence to medical care programs in transplant recipients is considered one of the life-threatening factors in transplant recipients, which can prevent achieving the desired levels of health care. Objective: To determine perceptions of liver transplant recipients about the barriers to their adherence to medical care programs. Methods: This study was conducted based on a qualitative content analysis method using semi-structured interviews with 23 liver transplant recipients, their families, and the transplant teams. A purposive sampling method was used in liver transplant clinics affiliated to Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran, from May to November 2017. Results: Three main categories including factors related to therapeutic problems (educational problems and medication challenges), personal factors (self-management disability), as well as social problems (cultural conditions and passive family) were identified as the barriers to adherence to medical care programs. Conclusion: Paying attention to barriers to adherence to medical care and planning for moderating them in a collaborative effort between transplant recipients and health care providers could increase the likelihood of survival and quality of life in these patients.