The effects of information and support on individuals awaiting cadaveric kidney transplantation.
BACKGROUND
No empirical studies exist to direct nursing interventions for individuals during the long period of waiting for a transplant.


OBJECTIVE
To measure the effect of information and support on hope and uncertainty for individuals awaiting cadaveric kidney transplantation.


METHODS
Randomized, controlled study.


METHODS
A university-affiliated hospital in the Midwest from 1997 to 1999.


METHODS
Fifty participants awaiting cadaveric kidney transplantation.


METHODS
The control group received no intervention phone calls or mailings, which was the current standard of care. The treatment group received phone calls and mailings once every month for 6 months.


METHODS
Hope, measured by the Herth Hope Index, and uncertainty, measured by the Mishel's Uncertainty in Illness Scale for Adults, were evaluated at the beginning of the study and 6 months later.


RESULTS
No statistically significant effect of the nursing intervention was found on hope and uncertainty in this sample (F = 0.5322, P = .81). Hope was found to be negatively related to uncertainty both before (r = -0.53, P = .0001) and after (r = -0.59, P = .0001) intervention. No significant change was found between hope before and after intervention, and uncertainty before and after intervention in the treatment group (F = 1.10, P = .40) or the control group.


CONCLUSIONS
The individuals indicated that definite needs were met by the information and support intervention even though the results did not statistically support the effect of the nursing intervention.
Russell
Cynthia L
CL
MU Sinclair School of Nursing, Columbia, Mo., USA.
Brown
Kristi
K
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002102:Cadaver; D030881:Disclosure; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D016030:Kidney Transplantation; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010353:Patient Education as Topic; D012944:Social Support; D013997:Time Factors