Health literacy in solid-organ transplantation: a model to improve understanding

The impact of health literacy on adolescent and young adult pediatric liver transplant recipients

Pediatric liver transplant recipients have increased rates of morbidity and mortality following transfer to adult health care providers. The role of health literacy (HL) has not been adequately assessed in this population and may be an unrecognized barrier to successful health care transition. We sought to determine the impact of HL for patients and their caregivers on measures of transition readiness (TR), adherence, health-related quality of life, and medical outcomes following pediatric liver transplant. This is a single-center study of pediatric liver transplant recipients transplanted between the ages of 12 and 26 from October 2016 through August 2020. Patients and caregivers completed 4 surveys to evaluate TR, health-related quality of life, and HL. Clinical outcomes were stratified based on the presence or absence of adequate HL. Limited HL was identified in 57.0% of recipients and 47.4% of caregivers. Patients with limited HL were more likely to be younger in age ( p = 0.004), Hispanic ( p = 0.003), and less likely to have obtained a high school diploma or equivalent ( p < 0.001). Patients with adequate HL demonstrated significantly higher levels of TR ( p < 0.001). Patient HL did not impact health-related quality of life, adherence, or medical outcomes. Caregiver HL did not impact patient outcomes or adherence, though higher levels of caregiver education were associated with adequate patient HL ( p = 0.049). This study demonstrates that limited HL is associated with decreased measures of TR. Inadequate HL may be an unrecognized barrier to a successful health care transition. Regular assessment of HL may provide an opportunity for intervention prior to transfer of care. Future studies should investigate the impact of these interventions on long-term medical outcomes.

Pathways linking health literacy to self-care in diabetic patients with physical disabilities: A moderated mediation model

INTRODUCTION

Health literacy is widely considered to be a determinant of self-care behavior in people with diabetes. However, the mechanisms underlying how health literacy is linked to self-care behaviors have not been clearly elucidated. The aim of the present study was to explore the mediating roles of access to healthcare, provider-patient interaction, motivation, self-efficacy in the effect of health literacy on diabetes self-care behaviors among diabetic patients with physical disabilities and investigate the moderating effect of age in a moderated mediation model.

METHODS

The online survey was participated by a total of 214 diabetic patients with physical disabilities from November to December 2021. The moderated mediation analysis was examined using the Hayes' PROCESS macro modeling tool based on the bias-corrected bootstrapping method.

RESULTS

After controlling for education, the results yielded a significant indirect effect of health literacy on diabetes self-care through motivation and self-efficacy. A partially mediating relationship also was confirmed, as there is a positive direct effect of health literacy on diabetes self-care. Furthermore, age groups (i.e., age <40 and ≥ 40) functioned as a moderator of the mediating effects of motivation and self-efficacy between health literacy and diabetes self-care.

CONCLUSION

This study emphasized the important role of motivation and self-efficacy which play in linking health literacy and self-care behavior, especially for younger diabetic patients with physical disabilities. In the light of these findings, a health-literacy tailored motivation and self-efficacy enhancing program may be key targets for interventions promoting diabetes self-care behaviors in people with physical disabilities.

A scoping review of pediatric transplant education

BACKGROUND

Education is crucial for pediatric patients and caregivers throughout the transplant continuum, yet data are lacking around which interventions are effective and in what circumstances.

METHODS

We undertook a scoping review with the objectives of (a) describing the types, effects, and outcomes of patient-focused educational interventions before and after pediatric transplant and (b) understanding the educational experiences of patients and caregivers. Five scientific databases were explored for relevant literature using the JBI methodology. Educational interventions published in English, targeting pediatric solid organ transplant patients (0-25 years) and their caregivers were included. Relevant data from eligible articles (n = 27) were extracted and summarized.

RESULTS

Eighteen articles describing 17 educational interventions were identified for objective A, and nine articles qualitatively assessing patient or parental learning needs were identified for objective B. Most interventions were directed toward teenage patients and their caregivers post kidney transplant, primarily focusing on medication self-management and adherence, or providing general information on transplant using multicomponent delivery formats. Most interventions achieved statistically significant improvements in knowledge (n = 8/9) and patients or caregivers expressed satisfaction with the intervention (n = 7/7) but health-related outcomes such as medication adherence (n = 2/6) or behavior change (n = 1/3) rarely achieved statistically significant results. In objective B, patients and caregivers described the transplant process as overwhelming, but indicated that social supports and education helped them cope. Participants consistently wanted more information than they received.

CONCLUSION

Caregivers and pediatric patients value transplant education, but high-quality studies are limited. Since education is a fundamental part of the transplant process, future research in this area should be prioritized.

Assessing health literacy in transplant patients to better tailor the content of their therapeutic education: an observational study

OBJECTIVES

Evaluate health literacy in transplant patients to better tailor the content of their continuing therapeutic education.

METHODS

A 20-item questionnaire divided into five themes (sport/recreation, dietary measures, hygiene measures, recognition of the signs of graft rejection and medication management) was sent to transplant patient associations. Participants' responses (a score out of 20 points), were analysed according to demographic characteristics, transplanted organ (kidney, liver or heart), type of donor (living or deceased), participation in a therapeutic patient education (TPE) programme, management of end-stage renal disease (with or without dialysis) and the date of transplant.

RESULTS

327 individuals completed the questionnaires (mean age 63.3±12.7 years, mean time post-transplant 13.1±12.1 years). From 2 years after transplantation, the patients' score decreases significantly compared with the score obtained at hospital discharge. Patients who received TPE had significantly higher scores than patients who did not receive it, but only in the first 2 years post-transplant. The scores were different depending on the organs transplanted. Patients' knowledge varied according to the theme; the percentage of errors being higher for questions related to hygienic and dietary rules.

CONCLUSION

These findings highlight the importance of the role of the clinical pharmacist in maintaining the transplant recipient's health literacy level over time to increase graft life. We show the topics on which pharmacists must acquire solid knowledge to best meet the needs of transplant patients.

Self-management in adults after solid-organ transplantation: a scoping review protocol

INTRODUCTION

After solid-organ transplantation (SOTx), recipients must adhere to a lifelong medical regimen, change their lifestyle and cope with physiological and psychosocial challenges. This requires active participation in their care and self-management abilities. The concept of self-management after SOTx has only been described regarding specific organs and focused on adherence to medical treatment. A comprehensive conceptualisation of self-management entailing all solid organs and beyond medical aspects does not exist. This might lead to unmet self-management support needs of SOTx recipients and hinder a more holistic and integrative approach in self-management support. Therefore, a better understanding of the concept of self-management after SOTx is needed to facilitate a comprehensive evidence base for healthcare providers and researchers. The purpose of this scoping review is to explore existing evidence on self-management in adults after SOTx.

METHODS AND ANALYSIS

To identify relevant evidence, six electronic databases and three study registers will be searched, supplemented by handsearches, reference checking and expert recommendations. Screening and selection of available evidence will be carried out in a two-step process by two independent reviewers. International evidence published in English or German reporting on adults after heart, lung, liver, pancreas, kidney or small bowel transplantation will be considered. To meet inclusion criteria, articles have to focus on either: self-management, self-management support or recipients' or healthcare providers' perspectives of challenges and needs potentially addressable by self-management. Data extraction will be performed by two reviewers independently using a structured form. Data will be analysed descriptively and using content analysis procedures. Findings will be summarised narratively and presented in tabular format.

ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION

The consultation and approval of an ethics committee is not required for this scoping review. Findings of the scoping review will be published in a peer-reviewed open-access journal and presented at conferences.

Didactical characteristics of Dutch websites about kidney transplantation targeted for kidney patients and living donors: An exploratory study

Objective

The aim was to explore the origin, content topics, teaching modes (instruction, interaction, and assessment), and corresponding social-epistemological dimensions (choices in knowledge transfer vs. knowledge building, and individual vs. group learning) of web-based information on kidney transplantation targeted for patients and living donors.

Methods

Dutch websites on kidney transplantation were retrieved using the search engine Google.nl. From 24 websites, 250 webpages were examined on origin, content topics, teaching modes, and corresponding social-epistemological dimensions.

Results

The majority of the websites had a professional organization as origin (20/24). The number and distribution of content topics varied among the websites. Of the 16 different teaching modes found, 11 were instructional, 4 were interactional, and 1 assessment mode was found. The websites offered almost exclusively teaching modes on individual and passive learning, whereas group learning and interactive knowledge building was hardly encountered.

Conclusion

The diversity in teaching modes and social-epistemological dimensions of Dutch websites on kidney transplantation targeted for patients and living donors is limited. The websites only provided a partial view on kidney transplantation; information regarding contact with others, e.g. support, was limited. A more balanced availability of teaching approaches and content topics is desirable to fit with the didactical goals to make well-considered health decisions.

The Relationship Between Health Literacy and Outcomes Before and After Kidney Transplantation

Limited health literacy (HL) is associated with decreased kidney function and death in patients with chronic kidney disease. Less is known about the impact of HL on kidney transplant (KT) outcomes. The aim of this study was to examine the relationship between HL and KT outcomes, including rates of waitlisting, healthcare utilization, acute rejection, renal allograft function, renal allograft failure, and death.

Methods

We performed a retrospective review of HL data previously collected at our center. HL was assessed in a convenience sample of consecutive, English-speaking patients age ≥18 y who were evaluated for KT at Mayo Clinic in Minnesota between June 2015 and March 2017 as part of a practice improvement feasibility project (n = 690). HL was assessed using the 4-item Brief Health Literacy Screening Tool modified for the outpatient KT evaluation process. The 4 items assess confidence completing forms, reading comprehension, and oral literacy.

Results

Overall, 30.4% of patients had limited or marginal HL. Patients with limited or marginal HL were less likely than those with adequate HL to be waitlisted for KT (hazard ratio = 0.62 and 0.69, respectively), even after adjusting for age, marital status, body mass index, Charlson comorbidity index, or dialysis dependency. Patient HL was not associated with post-KT healthcare utilization, acute rejection, or renal allograft function. Patients with limited or marginal HL appeared to experience a higher risk of renal allograft failure and post-KT death, but the number of events was small, and the relationship was statistically significant only for marginal HL.

Conclusions

Inadequate HL is common in KT candidates and independently associated with decreased waitlisting for KT. We observed no statistically significant relationship between HL and posttransplant outcomes in our cohort. Further efforts to improve communication in patients with inadequate HL may improve access to KT.

Pragmatic solutions to enhance self-management skills in solid organ transplant patients: systematic review and thematic analysis

Background

In organ transplantation, all patients must follow a complex treatment regimen for the rest of their lives. Hence, patients play an active role in the continuity of the care process in the form of self-management tasks. Thus, the main objective of our study was to investigate the pragmatic solutions applied by different studies to enhance adherence to self-management behaviors.

Method

A systematic review was conducted in five databases from 2010 to August 2021 using keywords. Eligible studies were all English papers that developed self-management programs to enhance patient care in solid organ transplantation. The interventions were analyzed using thematic analysis to determine the main descriptive areas. The quality of the included articles was evaluated using the research critical appraisal program (CASP) tool.

Results

Of the 691 retrieved articles, 40 met our inclusion criteria. Of these, 32 studies were devoted to the post-transplantation phase. Five main areas were determined (e-health programs for telemonitoring, non-electronic educational programs, non-electronic home-based symptom-monitoring programs, electronic educational plans for self-monitoring, and Telerehabilitation) according to thematic analysis. Most studies (72.5%) declared that developed programs and applied solutions had a statistically significant positive impact on self-management behavior enhancement in transplant patients.

Conclusion

The results showed that an effective solution for improving organ transplantation needs patient collaboration to address psychological, social, and clinical aspects of patient care. Such programs can be applied during candidate selection, waiting list, and after transplantation by putting the patient at the center of care.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12875-022-01766-z.

The Impact of Health Literacy on Kidney Transplant Listing

Introduction: Limited health literacy has been associated with poor health outcomes in the general population, but there have been few studies investigating the association between functional health literacy and kidney transplant listing. The primary objective of this study was to determine if functional health literacy was associated with kidney transplant listing after controlling for demographic, psychosocial, and medical variables, which were secondarily examined for correlation with transplant listing. Design: We retrospectively reviewed 423 kidney transplant candidates who were prospectively administered the Test of Functional Health Literacy in Adults during their transplant evaluation. Results: The functional health literacy scores were found to correlate with transplant listing (P = 0.013). Unexpectedly, a subset of patients (n = 14 out of 36) who had scores < 59 was still able to obtain approval for listing. The probability of approval decreased when functional health literacy scores ranged from 0 to 59 and increased when functional health literacy scores varied between 60 to 100. Multivariable analysis found transplant listing to also be associated with substance use (OR = 0.15, P < 0.001), ESKD etiology other than diabetes or hypertension (OR = 2.62, P < 0.001), time on dialysis (P = 0.012), and pace of transplant evaluation (P < 0.001). Conclusion: Functional health literacy was associated with kidney transplant listing. Programmatic interventions that can help overcome the impact of functional health literacy and improve access to transplantation should be explored.

Revision Total Hip Arthroplasty in Solid Organ Transplant Patients: A Propensity Score-Matched Cohort Study for Aseptic and Infected Revisions

Background

Previous studies have demonstrated that solid organ transplant (SOT) patients undergoing primary total hip arthroplasty (THA) are at an increased risk of postoperative complications. The purpose of this study is to use a large, national database to investigate revision THA (rTHA) outcomes in SOT patients.

Methods

Nationwide Readmissions Database (NRD) from 2010-2018 was used, and ICD-9 and ICD-10 codes were used to identify all patients who underwent rTHA, including those with history of SOT. Propensity score matching (PSM) was used to analyze rTHA outcomes in SOT patients comparted to matched controls. Separate analysis performed for patients undergoing rTHA for prosthetic joint infection (PJI) vs other causes.

Results

A total of 414,756 rTHA, with 1837 of those being performed in SOT patients, were identified. Of these, 65,961 and 276 were performed for PJI in non-SOT and SOT patients, respectively. For non-PJI patients, SOT patients had higher 90-day all-cause readmission rates (24.0% vs 19.4%, P = .03) but lower rate for readmission related to rTHA (6.0% vs 9.2%, P = .03), but no difference readmission for specific rTHA complications, mortality (0.6% vs 1.3%, P = .20), or revision rTHA. Of PJI patients, SOT patients had no difference in overall 90-day readmission (38.6 vs 31.3%, P = .280), readmission for specific rTHA complications, re-revision, or mortality (4.7% vs 6.0%, P = .63).

Conclusions

SOT patients undergoing rTHA for aseptic reasons are higher risk of overall readmission but lower risk of readmission related to rTHA than appropriately matched controls. SOT PJI patients undergoing had similar rates of readmission, mortality, and revision surgery compared to matched non-SOT PJI patients.

Exploring health literacy and self-management after kidney transplantation: A prospective cohort study

OBJECTIVE

Investigate the influence of health literacy and self-management on complications, kidney function and graft failure after kidney transplantation.

METHODS

We included patients who received a kidney transplant between May 2012 and May 2013 and monitored outcomes until December 2018. Health literacy was measured using the Newest Vital Sign and self-management using the Partner in Health scale (before discharge, and after 6 and 12 months). Subscales are aftercare & knowledge, coping, recognition and management of symptoms, healthy lifestyle. Complications were categorized as rejection, viral infections, and bacterial infections. Kidney function was measured using eGFR and graft survival using days until failure.

RESULTS

We included 154 patients. Higher health literacy at baseline and at 12 months was related to more viral infections (p = 0.02; p < 0.01). Lower 'coping' at baseline was related to more bacterial infections (p = 0.02). Higher 'after-care and knowledge' at 6 months (p < 0.01), and 'recognition and management of symptoms' at 6 months were associated with lower graft failure (p < 0.01).

CONCLUSION

Health literacy did not influence kidney transplant related outcomes. Higher knowledge and management of symptoms were related to lower graft failure.

PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS

Self-management support is a key focus for health care providers in the multidisciplinary team.

Revision total knee arthroplasty outcomes in solid organ transplant Patients, a matched cohort study of aseptic and infected revisions

BACKGROUND

Previous studies have demonstrated that solid organ transplant (SOT) patients undergoing primary total knee arthroplasty (TKA) are at an increased risk of postoperative complications. The purpose of this study is to utilize a large, national database to investigate revision TKA (rTKA) outcomes in SOT patients.

METHODS

This was a retrospective review utilizing the Nationwide Readmissions Database (NRD) and ICD-9 codes to identify patients who underwent rTKA from 2010-2014 with a history of at least one SOT. Propensity-score-matching (PSM) was used to compare rTKA outcomes in SOT patients compared to matched patients without SOT.

RESULTS

A total of 303,867 rTKAs, with 464 of those being performed in SOT patients, were included in the study. Of these, 71,903 and 182 were performed for PJI in non-SOT and SOT patients, respectively. rTKA was performed most frequently in kidney transplant patients (53.0%) followed by liver transplant patients (34.3%). For non-PJI patients, SOT patients had a higher 90-day readmission rate than matched non-SOT rTKA patients (23.2% vs 12.6%, p = 0.006). However, there were no differences in 90-day readmission rates for specific rTKA complications, subsequent revision rTKA, or mortality. Among patients undergoing rTKA for PJI, there was no difference in overall 90-day readmission rate, readmission for specific rTKA complications, subsequent revision rTKA, or mortality.

CONCLUSIONS

While the increased medical comorbidities associated with SOT place patients at increased risk for complications following rTKA, it appears that SOT alone does not do so when patients are matched based on overall medical comorbidity.

Two Sides of a Coin: Parental Disease-Specific Training as Seen by Health Care Practitioners and Parents in Pediatric Liver Transplantation

In the absence of widely accepted education standards for parents of children after liver transplantation (LTx), the content and structure of parental training are influenced by health care practitioners’ (HCP) individual knowledge and assessment of the relevance of its contents. This study examines the hypothesis that expectations towards training differ between HCPs and parents, and that the quality of parental training affects the job-satisfaction of HCPs. Attitudes towards disease-specific education were assessed by tailor-made questionnaires in HCPs (n = 20) and parents of children with chronic liver disease or after LTx (n = 113). These were supplemented by focused interviews in n = 7 HCPs and n = 16 parents. Parents were more satisfied with current counseling than HCP. Language barriers and low parental educational background were perceived as obstacles by 43% of HCPs. The quality of parental knowledge was felt to have a strong influence on HCPs job satisfaction. The expectations towards the content of disease-specific education largely overlap but are not synonymous. HCP and parents agreed with regards to the importance of medication knowledge. Parents rated the importance about the meaning of laboratory values and diagnostic procedures significantly higher (3.50 vs. 2.85, p < 0.001 and 3.42 vs. 2.80, p < 0.001) than HCPs. Parents and HCPs would prefer a structured framework with sufficient staff resources for disease-specific counseling.

A Randomized Controlled Trial of a Pretransplant Educational Intervention in Kidney Patients

Supplemental Digital Content is available in the text.

Poor patient knowledge about transplantation is a significant problem following kidney transplant. A video-based educational intervention was developed to supplement standard education provided by transplant teams.

Intervening on health literacy by knowledge translation processes in kidney transplantation: A feasibility study

BACKGROUND

Patients awaiting kidney transplantation need to be prepared ahead of the upcoming transplantation by developing targeted pre- and post-transplant knowledge. On this background, we designed a new health literacy intervention, including a film and a counselling session, based on motivational interviewing for dialysis patients provided by dialysis nurses.

AIM

To explore patients' and nurses' experiences of the feasibility and acceptability of the intervention, focusing on the patient as a prepared knowledge actor.

DESIGN

An explorative qualitative study.

PARTICIPANTS AND METHODS

Data included in-depth interviews with nine patients and three nurses who participated in the intervention. The interviews were audiotaped and analysed following Kvale and Brinkmann's method for thematic data analysis.

FINDINGS

Three main themes were identified: a different kind of health intervention stimulating new insight; a challenging kind of health conversation and changed relationships and increased security.

CONCLUSIONS

Both the patients and the nurses had an overall positive attitude toward the intervention, providing a kind of dialogue to prepare dialysis patients going through kidney transplantation. The nurses found the MI methodology to be challenging. When introducing a comprehensive communication method like MI, potential training and supervision needs for the nurses must be addressed.

Topics, Delivery Modes, and Social-Epistemological Dimensions of Web-Based Information for Patients Undergoing Renal Transplant and Living Donors During the COVID-19 Pandemic: Content Analysis

Background

The COVID-19 pandemic has markedly affected renal transplant care. During this time of social distancing, limited in-person visits, and uncertainty, patients and donors are relying more than ever on telemedicine and web-based information. Several factors can influence patients’ understanding of web-based information, such as delivery modes (instruction, interaction, and assessment) and social-epistemological dimensions (choices in interactive knowledge building).

Objective

The aim of this study was to systemically evaluate the content, delivery modes, and social-epistemological dimensions of web-based information on COVID-19 and renal transplantation at time of the pandemic.

Methods

Multiple keyword combinations were used to retrieve websites on COVID-19 and renal transplantation using the search engines Google.com and Google.nl. From 14 different websites, 30 webpages were examined to determine their organizational sources, topics, delivery modes, and social-epistemological dimensions.

Results

The variety of topics and delivery modes was limited. A total of 13 different delivery modes were encountered, of which 8 (62%) were instructional and 5 (38%) were interactional; no assessment delivery modes were observed. No website offered all available delivery modes. The majority of delivery modes (8/13, 62%) focused on individual and passive learning, whereas group learning and active construction of knowledge were rarely encountered.

Conclusions

By taking interactive knowledge transfer into account, the educational quality of eHealth for transplant care could increase, especially in times of crisis when rapid knowledge transfer is needed.

Health literacy and its association with adherence in pediatric liver transplant recipients and their parents

OBJECTIVE

Non-adherence to pediatric regimens is a common concern. Low health literacy is correlated with poor outcomes in adults but is understudied in pediatrics. The current project aimed to determine the relationship between health literacy, adherence, and outcomes in pediatric liver transplant recipients. Hypotheses included a) parent and patient health literacy would be positively correlated; and b) low patient and/or parent health literacy would be negatively correlated with adherence and health outcomes.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Eligible participants were recruited during routine follow-up visits in a pediatric liver transplant clinic. Parents and patients (>13 years old) completed 2 measures of health literacy. Patients ≥18 years completed health literacy measures without corresponding parent surveys. Adherence variables and health outcomes were obtained from medical records.

RESULTS

Seventy-nine patients across two sites completed the study. Variance in classification of health literacy between measures was observed; however, most parents (82%-100%) scored within an "adequate literacy" range. More adolescents scored in lower health literacy ranges relative to the parents. Markers of SES were positively correlated with health literacy. Parent health literacy was negatively associated with biopsy-proven rejection episodes and the number of hospitalizations; however, it was not associated with measures of tacrolimus adherence. There were no relationships observed between parent and adolescent health literacy.

CONCLUSIONS

Health literacy is an important consideration in managing patient care; however, available measures demonstrate variability in capturing the skills of patients. Effective communication strategies may ameliorate admittedly small, but negative, impacts of limited health literacy on outcomes.

The Approach to the Psychosocial Evaluation of Cardiac Transplant and Mechanical Circulatory Support Candidates

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

We update evidence underlying the recommendations of a 2018 multi-society consensus report regarding the psychosocial evaluation of individuals for cardiothoracic transplantation and mechanical circulatory support (MCS). In the present review, we focus on heart transplantation and MCS.

RECENT FINDINGS

Expert opinion and new evidence support the inclusion of ten core content areas in the psychosocial evaluation. Prospective data indicate that psychosocial factors can predict post-transplantation/post-implantation outcomes. Such factors include treatment adherence history, mental health and substance use history, cognitive impairment, knowledge about treatment options, and social factors such as socioeconomic status. For other factors (e.g., coping, social support), new evidence is weaker because it derives largely from cross-sectional studies. Concerning evaluation process issues, expert opinion remains consistent with consensus recommendations, but there is a dearth of empirical evidence. The psychosocial evaluation can identify factors relevant for candidacy for heart transplantation and MCS implantation. It enables the provision of interventions to improve patients' viability as candidates, and facilitates care planning.

Health Literacy among patients with end-stage kidney disease and kidney transplant recipients

MAIN PROBLEM

Self-management is essential for patients both before and after kidney transplantation and requires an adequate level of health literacy (HL), that is the ability to comprehend and process health information. Low HL is associated with poor clinical outcome and an increased risk of death. In Europe, HL has been scarcely studied. The aim of this study was to investigate the levels of HL in a Swedish cohort of kidney transplant (KTx) candidates and KTx recipients.

METHODS

A single centre cross-sectional cohort study. Participants; n = 50 KTx candidates and n = 49 KTx recipients. HL was measured with the Newest Vital Sign instrument (NVS). Statistical analysis was made using the chi-square, Mann-Whitney U- or t-test.

RESULTS

Study participants; n = 99, 61.6% male, mean age 52 years. Low or possible inadequate HL was seen in 20%. There was no statistical difference in the levels of HL related to sex, educational level, ability to work or between KTx candidates and KTx recipients.

CONCLUSIONS

In this cohort, one fifth had low or possible inadequate HL measured by the NVS. Screening is needed to identify persons with poor HL. These persons require tailored education and person-centred care to cope with self-management.

Empirically Tested Health Literacy Frameworks

Background:

Health literacy is a significant determinant of health behaviors, but the pathways through which health literacy influences health behaviors are not completely clear nor consistent. The purpose of this systematic review is to critically appraise studies that have empirically tested the potential pathways linking health literacy to health behavior.

Methods:

We performed searches of the electronic databases PubMed, Embase, and CINAHL to identify studies that proposed a conceptual framework and empirically tested the proposed mechanism through which health literacy influences certain health behaviors. Twenty eligible studies were included for analysis.

Key Results:

The 20 studies addressed various health behaviors: chronic disease self-management (n = 8), medication adherence (n = 2), overall health status (n = 4), oral care (n = 1), cancer screening (n = 1), shared decision-making (n = 1), health information sharing (n = 1), physical activity and eating behaviors (n = 1), and emergency department visits (n = 1). Most studies were conducted in the United States (n = 13) and used a cross-sectional design (n = 15). The Short Test of Functional Health Literacy in Adults was commonly used to assess health literacy levels. Selection of variables and their operationalization were informed by a theoretical model in 12 studies. Age, gender, race/ethnicity, and insurance status were reported antecedents to health literacy. The most commonly tested mediators were self-efficacy (n = 8) and disease knowledge (n = 4). Fit indices reported in the studies ranged from acceptable to excellent.

Discussion:

Current evidence supports self-efficacy as a mediator between health literacy and health behavior. Further research is needed to identify how health literacy interplays with known psychosocial factors to inform people's use of preventive care services. Future studies should include more disadvantaged populations such as immigrants with high disease burden and those with low health literacy. Theory-based, empirically tested health literacy models can serve as the conceptual basis for developing effective health interventions to improve health behaviors and ultimately decrease the burden of disease in such vulnerable populations. [HLRP: Health Literacy Research and Practice. 2020;4(1):e21–e44.]

Plain Language Summary:

This review systemically compiles, and critically appraises 20 existing studies that test conceptual frameworks that propose potential pathways through which health literacy affects health behaviors. The findings from this review can help inform the development of health literacy-focused interventions to improve the health behaviors of populations with disease burdens.

Development and preliminary evaluation of an animation (simplifyKDPI) to improve kidney transplant candidate understanding of the Kidney Donor Profile Index

BACKGROUND

Transplant candidates are reluctant to accept kidneys from high Kidney Donor Profile Index (KDPI) donors. Incomplete understanding can lead to transplant delays for older transplant candidates. Patients need access to understandable information to make more informed decisions about KDPI.

METHODS

We developed a KDPI-specific animation with input from six stakeholder groups and conducted a one-group pre-post study with 60 kidney transplant candidates for feasibility and acceptability to improve participant KDPI knowledge, understanding, decisional self-efficacy, and willingness to accept a KDPI > 85% kidney. Data were compared using McNemar's test and Wilcoxon signed-rank test.

RESULTS

Compared with pre-animation scores, post-animation scores were significantly higher for KDPI knowledge for the entire cohort (4.6 vs 6.1, P < .001) and across different levels of age, educational attainment, health literacy, vintage, and technology access. The frequency of positive responses increased pre-post animation for KDPI understanding (55% vs 83%, P < .001) and decisional self-efficacy (47% vs 75%, P < .001). However, willingness to accept KDPI > 85% kidneys (32% vs 36%, P = .83) increased by 2%. After viewing simplifyKDPI, >90% indicated positive ratings on ease of watching, understanding, and engaging.

CONCLUSION

In collaboration with stakeholders, an educational animation about KDPI was developed that was well-received and is promising to impact knowledge.

Knowledge About Immunosuppressant Medication and Its Correlates in a German Kidney Transplant Population - Results of a KTx360° Substudy

PURPOSE

After organ transplantation, adherence to immunosuppressive medication (ISM) is crucial to prevent organ rejection. To enable adherence, patients need to be well informed about the different aspects associated with their ISM. However, literature suggests that knowledge regarding ISM is often inadequate.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

In a cross-sectional study, 702 patients after kidney transplantation participating in a structured multimodal follow-up program (KTx360°) were evaluated. We utilized a self-developed questionnaire which has been successfully used before to measure patients' knowledge about the ISM. Above that we aimed to evaluate potential associations between sociodemographic, medical, donation-specific, and psychosocial variables including adherence, levels of depression and anxiety, perceived social support, and cognitive functioning with the knowledge level.

RESULTS

The mean age of the patients was 52.4 years, 58.1% were men, and 66.6% were living in a partnership. The mean time since transplantation was 65.1 months. On average, patients answered 70.9% of the questions correctly. The percentage of correct answers per question differed considerably (54%-92%). In univariate analyses, knowledge levels were positively associated with female gender, current partnership, German as first language and better cognitive functioning. However, the effect sizes were small.

CONCLUSION

Taking into account that the patients after KTx can be expected to answer all questions correctly as they aim at basic knowledge, an average result of 70.9% corresponds to a moderate knowledge level. Consequently, the current educational approaches do not seem to be sufficient to inform all patients adequately. Further research is necessary on how to improve health knowledge in the long term.

Assessing the outcome of organ allocation: choosing metrics

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

Organ allocation is a highly complex process with significant impact on outcomes of donor organs and end-stage organ disease patients. Policies governing allocation must incorporate numerous factors to meet stated objective. There have been significant alterations and ongoing discussion about changes in allocation policy for all solid organs in the United States. As with any policy change, rigorous evaluation of the impact of changes is important.

RECENT FINDINGS

This manuscript discusses metrics to consider to evaluate the impact of organ allocation policy that may be monitored on an ongoing basis including examples of research evaluating current policies. Potential metrics to evaluate allocation policy include the effectiveness, efficiency, equity, costs, donor rates, and transparency associated with the system.

SUMMARY

Ultimately, policies will often need to adapt to secular changes in donor and patient characteristics, clinical and technological advances, and overarching healthcare polices. Providing objective empirical evaluation of the impact of policies is a critical component for assessing quality of the allocation system and informing the effect of changes. The foundation of organ transplantation is built upon public trust and the dependence on the gift of donor organs, as such the importance of the most appropriate organ allocation policies cannot be overstated.