Impact of computer-based patient education on illness-specific knowledge and renal function in adolescents after renal transplantation

Interactive CBE holds potential to increase IRK and IRB in adolescents following transplantation. An experimental design assessed the effect of CBE on IRK and renal function in adolescents after transplantation (N = 50, aged 15-20 yr). The IGr (N = 26) completed a nine-item questionnaire (9-iQ) covering IRK and IRB prior to completing CBE at three consecutive time points (T0-T2). The CGr (N = 24) received standard care. Renal function was determined by GFR 12 months before, at start of intervention, and at three, six, and 12 months after intervention (T-1; T0; T3; T4; T5). Overall IRK improved significantly over time (p < 0.0001) for IGr patients relative to CGr. Analysis of IRK demonstrated a significant increase in knowledge from T0 to T1 (p < 0.028) and from T1 to T2 (p < 0.045) in the IGr when compared to the CGr. With respect to IRB, a tendency to improve was seen (p = 0.06). The GFR gradient was stable in the IGr relative to a significant decrease in the CGr (p < 0.001). Our data suggest that interactive CBE improves IRK in adolescent renal transplant recipients. In addition, these programmes demonstrate improvements on IRB.