Workability and functional capacity are important for social, psychological and physical wellbeing of people with serious chronic illness, such as renal failure. Therapeutic approach to end stage renal disease is kidney transplant – which is associated with significant improvements in quality of life and perceptions of health in patients. Patients with kidney transplants usually do not require regular dialysis, and are able to lead productive lives and usually are able to continue with their occupational activities. The aim of the project was to assess quality of life and mental health and their association with employment status in patients who had kidney transplants.
Patients who undergone a kidney transplant were recruited form two transplants centres in Austria – the General Hospital Vienna and General Hospital Graz. Results indicated a number of independent factors were associated with employment status following a kidney transplant. Overall, the results of this paper indicate a need for more return-to-work programs for patients with kidney transplants focusing on vocational rehabilitation, social support and mental health.
The NTx Project has been funded by the Scientific Medical Fund of the Mayor of the City of Vienna.
Some of the most important results can be found here:
https://www.mdpi.com/1660-4601/17/4/1254
Key members of the Grabovac Group: Igor Grabovac (Co-Principal Investigator and Project Coordinator)