Building Research Initiative Group: Chronic Illness Management and Adherence in Transplantation

Over the past decades, survival rates in heart transplantation recipients improved significantly, due to advancements in regimens of immunosuppressives and surgical techniques, but are still limited to the first 12 months post transplantation. Long-term survival remains almost unchanged indicating the need to identify and improve relevant factors. Evidence in other chronically-ill patient populations shows that the healthcare system (e.g. level of chronic illness management (CIM)) and patient self-management (e.g. adherence) drive improvements in outcomes. The BRIGHT study is the first multi-centre, multi-continental study examining healthcare system and heart transplant centres chronic illness management practice patterns and potential correlates of immunosuppressive medication nonadherence. The knowledge gained will inform clinicians, researchers and healthcare policy makers about the level(s) interventions need to be implemented at to improve long-term outcomes for transplant recipients.