Health communication and self-care: the Wellbeing And Lifestyle in Transplantation study (WALT).: Presenter(s): Lina Johansson, Imperial Healthcare NHS Trust, United Kingdom

Health communication between practitioners and patients is integral to supporting self-care, which is a top NHS priority. Renal transplantation is a life changing event where responsibility to self-care takes centre-stage overnight. There is a high risk of rejection if complex medication regimens are not adhered to, and the possibility of weight gain, new onset Diabetes and dyslipidaemia, if lifestyle is not adequately modified. Health communication is therefore vital in developing self-care capacity. This study aims to explore the lived experience of people with a transplant, from multiple view-points, focusing on wellbeing and lifestyle, with the aim to develop practical interventions that promote self-care. This qualitative study employs focus group and semi-structured interview methods, conducted online due to Covid-19. Several interviews were run via telephone for greater participant accessibility. Participants included kidney transplant recipients, healthcare professionals and significant others. Purposeful sampling increased participation from diverse backgrounds and age ranges. The data analysis utilises framework methodology to identify key themes on the barriers and facilitators recipients and practitioners face in developing self-care. Health communication between practitioners and patients was a key theme identified that served as both a barrier and facilitator to self-care in kidney transplantation. Nursing staff reported examples illustrating a multimodal approach when communicating complex health concepts e.g. using 3D models and diagrams that extended beyond traditional verbal communication and printed literature. Others reported allowing patients to make (safe) treatment errors which embedded learning and understanding of their health condition. However, an overburdened and time-constrained service disrupted effective health communication. Reported examples highlight a practitioner need to develop health literacy in others through personalised health communications that fosters self-care. The Findings: inform future work that aims to design, test and evaluate multimodal interventions in building self-care capacity and promoting lifestyle and wellbeing throughout the transplant journey.