The trigger-information-response model: Exploring health literacy during the first six months following a kidney transplantation

Abstract

The main objective of this study was to explore how kidney transplant recipients find, understand, and use health information, and make decisions about their health—also known as health literacy. Kidney transplant recipients must take an active part in their health following the transplantation, since a new organ requires new medication and focus on lifestyle to prevent side-effects and signs of organ rejection. Consequently, it is of major clinical relevance to explore how kidney transplant recipients understand and relate to health literacy. Ten kidney transplant recipients were interviewed at three weeks and again at six months post-transplantation. Design and analysis were inspired by constructivist grounded theory. The results of the study are presented through a model consisting of three phases: the trigger phase, the information phase, and the response phase. The participants were influenced by context and personal factors as they moved between three phases, as information seekers, recipients, and sharers. This study illustrates health literacy as an active process. It gives new insight into what motivates kidney recipients to find, share, and receive information, and how a hierarchy of resources is built and used.

Exploring health literacy in patients with chronic kidney disease: a qualitative study

“…Previous studies with CKD patients have reported similar findings; for example, an Australian qualitative study characterized CKD patients either as receivers (passively seeking) or engagers (actively seeking) of health information [ 34 ]. In addition, a recent study exploring HL in Norwegian kidney recipients found that the patients fluctuated between different phases in their efforts to balance the amount of information they accessed, suggesting that they needed to be triggered by a symptom or concern to search for health information [ 35 ]. Based on our findings and earlier research [ 34 , 35 ], we suggest that limiting the input of health information might be a strategy for some individuals to cope with CKD.…”

“…In addition, a recent study exploring HL in Norwegian kidney recipients found that the patients fluctuated between different phases in their efforts to balance the amount of information they accessed, suggesting that they needed to be triggered by a symptom or concern to search for health information [ 35 ]. Based on our findings and earlier research [ 34 , 35 ], we suggest that limiting the input of health information might be a strategy for some individuals to cope with CKD. The current study revealed that some patients deliberately choose to avoid health information; therefore, providing more information or simplifying existing information might not always be the solution to increase HL.…”

Processes of knowing in the translation of a health communication intervention for dialysis patients awaiting kidney transplantation

“…We developed a new project to investigate health literacy in the context of renal transplantation. In this project, patients reported a need to be more thoroughly prepared for their transplantation, in order to make use of health information relevant to their life and situation [17,18]. Consequently, a new health communication intervention was developed.…”