Effect of applying continuous care model on quality of life among kidney transplant patients: a randomized clinical trial.

INTRODUCTION The aim of this study was to compare the effect of continuous care model with routine care on the quality of life among patients who receive a kidney transplant. MATERIALS AND METHODS In a randomized clinical trial, 90 kidney transplant patients were selected from 4 hospitals in Tehran, Iran, and were randomly assigned to 2 group. In the experimental group, continuous care model was applied for 3 months and the control group received routine care. The scale scores of the Kidney Transplant Questionnaire concerning quality of life were monthly compared between the two groups. RESULTS Of 90 patients, 4 in the experimental and 8 in the control group were excluded from the study. Final analysis was performed on 41 in the experimental and 37 in the control groups. No significant difference was found between the two groups in terms of demographic variables. Although the quality of life scores increased in both groups, the mean scores of the experimental group were significantly higher than those in the control group at 1, 2, and 3 months. CONCLUSIONS Continuous care model may improve the kidney transplant patients' quality of life.