The effect of the web-based training, which is offered to patients who had liver transplantation, on the patient's immunosuppressant-related distress and adherence to the immunosuppressive medication

Aim: This study aims to analyze the effect of the web-based training, which is offered to patients who had liver transplantation, on the patient's immunosuppressant-related distress and adherence to immunosuppressive medication. Material and Method: The research was designed as a randomized controlled trial. The research population was comprised of all adult patients who had liver transplantation at Turgut Özal Medical Center of İnönü University of Turkey. As per the power analysis, the research sample had 90 patients (N=116). The research data were collected from January 2021 to July 2021 by using the Patient Identification Form, the 58-Item Turkish Version of the Modified Transplant Symptom Occurrence and Symptom Distress Scale, and the Immunosuppressive Medication Adherence Scale. Patients in the experimental group received web-based training for one month. In the evaluation of research data, as well as numbers, percentages, means, and standard deviations, the chi-squared test, the paired samples t-test, the independent samples t-test, and the ridit analysis were utilized. Results: It was found that, in comparison to the control group, the experimental group had a statistically significant decrease in symptom occurrence and distress levels and a statistically significant increase in adherence to immunosuppressive medication use (p<0.05). Conclusion: It was discerned that the web-based training decreased the patient's immunosuppressant-related symptoms and symptoms-related distress and increased the patient's adherence to the immunosuppressive medication. Key Words: Liver Transplantation, Web-Based Training, Immunosuppressive Medications, Distress, Adherence to Medication, Nursing