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Background: Accurate assessment and enhancement of health-related skills among oncology patients are pivotal for optimizing cancer care. The Patient Activation Measure (PAM-13), a questionnaire designed to reflect an individual's knowledge, skills, and confidence in self-healthcare management, has been validated across diverse countries and settings. Concerns have been raised regarding the cross-situational applicability, as patients with specific diseases and cultural backgrounds interpret questionnaire items differently. This study aimed to examine the structural validity and psychometric properties of the PAM-13 in an oncological patient cohort. Methods: Baseline data from a longitudinal non-randomized controlled study involving cancer out-patients (n = 1,125) from Comprehensive Cancer Centres in Southern Germany were analysed. The German version of the PAM-13 was employed. With classical test and item response theory methods data quality, reliability, convergent and structural validity, as well as psychometric properties were assessed. Exploratory (EFA) and confirmatory factor analyses (CFA) were employed to investigate the postulated unidimensionality of the underlying construct. With a partial credit model (PCM) we examined item fit, targeting, local independence and differential item functioning. Results: Participants were predominantly female (73.0%) with a breast cancer diagnosis (41.3%). While items were generally well-accepted, ceiling effects were observed and a high mean PAM-13 score (69.7, SD = 14.2) was noted, potentially compromising responsiveness to interventions. Reliability was adequate (Cronbach's α = 0.81), person and item separation reliability were good to excellent (0.81 and 0.99, respectively). Explorations of the unidimensionality of the construct (EFA, CFA, PCM) yielded inconclusive results, hinting towards a two-factor solution. Item difficulty rankings deviated from the original. No differential item functioning was identified, and local independence was confirmed. Conclusions: While the PAM-13 serves as a valuable instrument for comprehending and promoting health-related skills in cancer patients, the identification of ceiling effects, disordered item-difficulty rankings, and inconclusive findings regarding unidimensionality contribute to the expanding body of evidence, emphasizing the dependency of PAM-13's validity and reliability on distinctive characteristics within the population under investigation. Future research should prioritize refining or adding PAM-13 items to better capture the specific health-related challenges within diverse populations, paving the way for more effective patient engagement strategies in oncology. Trial registration number: DRKS00021779 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Patient activation is an emerging field in healthcare research concerning knowledge, skills, and confidence of patients in managing their health. This is particularly important for patients with chronic diseases, who often require more complex care management and self-care skills. However, due to temporary or longer-lasting visual impairments, certain patient groups cannot answer a questionnaire independently. The main objective is to investigate the psychometric properties of the German Patient Activation Measure® (PAM) survey in an everyday clinical setting where it has to be read aloud. Methods: Outpatients with macular edema participated in this questionnaire-based cross-sectional study. The study assessed patient activation by the PAM® survey, self-rated health, self-efficacy, quality of life, and general mood. Interviewers read questionnaires aloud to patients. Psychometric properties of the PAM® survey were investigated by item response theory (IRT), Cronbach's α and trait–trait correlations. Results: The analysis included N = 554 patients. Median age was 69 (IQR 62.0–76.0) years and mean overall activation score 74.1 (SD 13.7). All items showed ceiling effects. Empirical reliability from the IRT model and Cronbach's α were 0.75. The PAM® survey showed a Spearman correlation of 0.54 with self-efficacy, 0.51 with quality of life and 0.34 with general mood. Conclusion: The read-aloud PAM® survey has been shown to provide to adequate measurement precision and convergent validity to be used as a screening tool in an everyday clinical setting. Objective assessment in an interview setting with the PAM® survey is possible. PAM® items are good in distinguishing lower to middle activated patients, but not patients with high activation. Further, issues with structural validity need more investigation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The presence of chronic conditions such as type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) requires behavioral lifestyle changes mediated by individuals' motivation for change and adherence to treatment. This study aims to explore activation levels in individuals with T2DM treated in primary care facilities and to identify the association between demographic, clinical, psychosocial factors, and patient activation amongst populations in the Brazilian state of Amazonas. Methods: SAPPA is a cross-sectional study conducted in Amazonas, approved by the Universidade Federal do Amazona's IRB in Brazil. Individuals with T2DM were evaluated in their homes (n = 4,318,325). The variables were sex, age, skin color, education level; health-related variables such as body mass index, nutritional behavior, and frequency of physical activity. Measures related to patient self-management behaviors over the past 6 months (Patient Activation Measure – PAM-13) were included in the survey. Descriptive and frequency data are presented as mean (standard deviation (SD)) or numeric percentage). Statistical testing was performed using IBM SPSS V.26, and a p-value of < 0.050 showed significance. Activation levels were dichotomized into low activation (Levels 1 and 2) and high activation (Levels 3 and 4). A multivariate linear model assessed the association between the PAM-13 score and the following variables: age, sex, BMI, skin color, number of comorbidities, burden of symptoms, and number of medications. Results: Logistic regression analyses indicated a statistically significant association between sex, age, education, self-rated health, and general satisfaction with life. men were 43% more likely to score lower levels (p < 0.001). The results also indicated that advanced age had lower PAM levels (p < 0.001). Participants with fewer years of education were 44% more likely to have lower levels of PAM (p = 0.03). Worse self-rated health (p < 0.001) and lower general life satisfaction (p = 0.014) were associated with lower PAM levels. Conclusions: Low patient activation was associated with worse sociodemographic, health, and psychological conditions in the Amazon population. The low level of patient activation observed in this sample highlights an important impediment to diabetes disease management/self-management in disadvantaged populations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background. Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is a global public health challenge. T2DM self-management, including diet, physical activity, blood glucose self-monitoring, foot care, and adherence to medication, is considered a primary tool for managing diabetes. Patient activation, an individual's knowledge, skill, and confidence in managing their health and healthcare, was recognized to be associated with better T2DM self-management and clinical outcomes. Patient activation intervention has been described as a potential approach for enhancing chronic disease self-management. This study is aimed at examining the effect of a patient activation-tailored intervention on T2DM self-management and clinical outcomes in primary care settings in Saudi Arabia. Method. A pre- and postintervention study was conducted among ≥18 years old T2DM patients attending primary healthcare centers in Saudi Arabia. Collected data included demographics, clinical data, the Patient Activation Measure (PAM), the Summary of Diabetes Self-Care Activities (SDSCA), the diabetes knowledge test (DKT2), the problem area in diabetes test (PAID-5), and the diabetes quality of life test (DQOL). The intervention was tailored based on the participants' patient activation level. The intervention consisted of monthly face-to-face sessions for three months and a telephone follow-up per month for three months postintervention. Descriptive statistics, a paired sample t -test for scale variables, and Wilcoxon's signed-rank test for categorical variables were used for data analysis. Results. A total of 82 patients, mostly female (61%) with a mean age of 51.3 ± 9.9 years old, completed baseline and postintervention surveys. After six months of intervention, there was a significant change in patient activation score from 54.74 to 61.58 (p < 0.001), hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) from 8.38 to 7.55 (p < 0.001), and body mass index (BMI) from 30.90 to 29.16 (p < 0.001). Also, there was a significant change in SDSCA scores (diet from 3.12 to 3.67, exercise from 2.54 to 3.49, and blood glucose self-testing from 2.37 to 3.24) (p < 0.001) and DKT from 6.29 to 7.22 (p = 0.01). Conclusion. Our findings suggested that tailoring interventions based on patients' activation levels is more likely to yield promising T2DM self-management and clinical outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: To evaluate patient activation in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients using patient activation measure 13 (PAM‐13) on a national level in Saudi Arabia. Method: A national survey was administered across multiple centers in Saudi Arabia. Patient activation was assessed using the PAM‐13. The Compliance Questionnaire for Rheumatology (CQR) and the RA Impact of Disease (RAID) tool were also administered. The data from the survey were analyzed, and the results were stratified based on activation level. All factors affecting patient activation were explored and reported. Results: A total of 1241 participants were included. Most of the patients were females (85%), the mean age was 47 (±14), and most patients lived in the central region (47%). The mean (±standard deviation) patient activation score was 578.7 (±13.0). Patient activation was affected by multiple factors: demographic characteristics, such as education, with a beta value of 1.11 (95% confidence interval [CI] 0.64 ̶1.58, p <.001). Higher CQR scores were associated with higher activation levels, with a beta value of 2.61 (95% CI 0.80 ̶4.44, p =.005), and higher RAID scores were associated with lower activation levels, with a beta value of 3.13 (95% CI 1.36 ̶4.91, p =.001). Conclusions: Patient activation was affected by several demographic characteristics and the impact of RA. A higher activation may improve compliance. Future longitudinal studies are required to confirm these findings and should explore the underlying mechanism of these effects. Keypoints: Patient activation was assessed at the national level.Patient activity in rheumatoid arthritis is affected by multiple demographics.Disease activity is affected by activation.Compliance is affected by the level of activation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The 13-item version of the Patient Activation Measure (PAM-13) is a frequently used measure that gauges the level of self-management in an individual. However, its applicability across Japanese young adult (YA) cancer survivors during and after their treatment remains unclear. This study confirmed the psychometric properties and measurement invariance of the Japanese version of PAM-13 across them during and after treatment. We used cross-sectional observational data collected through an online survey from 500 survivors in January 2022. We determined feasibility, internal consistency, concurrent validity against physical fatigue and depression, and known-groups validity regarding educational level. Structural validity was also found using Rasch analysis for survivors both during and after treatment. Furthermore, measurement invariance of the PAM-13 was examined using multiple-group structural equation modeling. Rasch fit statistics were acceptable for the unidimensional structure of PAM-13. It was found to be internally consistent for survivors during (McDonald's omega: 0.88, item-total correlations: 0.48–0.62) and after treatment (McDonald's omega: 0.90, item-total correlations: 0.32–0.72). The PAM-13 was concurrently valid with physical fatigue (Pearson's product-moment correlation coefficients: -0.25 and -0.18 for survivors during and after treatment, respectively) and depression (Pearson's product-moment correlation coefficients: -0.20 and -0.19 for survivors during and after treatment, respectively). Known-groups validity showed that survivors after treatment with a higher educational level reported a higher patient activation score than those with a lower educational level (p = 0.001); however, there was no difference due to the education level between survivors during treatment. The configural and metric invariance of the PAM-13 were confirmed, but scalar invariance was rejected. It was found that the PAM-13 is applicable for Japanese YA cancer survivors during and after treatment. However, given the lack of scalar invariance in the PAM-13, the scores of particular items between YA cancer survivors during and after treatment should be interpreted with caution. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: COVID-19 has highlighted the importance of patient activation in managing chronic conditions and promoting resilience during times of crisis. Patient activation refers to an individual's knowledge, skills, and confidence in managing their own health and healthcare. Previous research has shown that people with higher levels of patient activation are better prepared to navigate the challenges of chronic illness and are more likely to engage in healthy behaviors. However, the impact of patient activation on COVID-19-related concerns and mental well-being among people with chronic conditions during the pandemic remains unclear. This study aims to investigate the possible role of patient activation in shaping COVID-19-related concerns and to describe changes in mental well-being among Danish adults with one or more chronic conditions during the early months of the pandemic. Methods: Danish adults with chronic conditions (e.g. diabetes, coronary heart disease, obstructive pulmonary lung disease, cancer) who had participated in a municipal health education program prior to the COVID-19 outbreak were asked to participate in this prospective questionnaire study in May 2020 and November 2020. Sociodemographic (sex, age, living status, educational attainment, employment status) and disease-related information (diagnosis, one or more chronic conditions) along with the Patient Activation Measure were collected before the outbreak and were obtained from a clinical database used for monitoring and evaluation of municipal health education programs. In contrast, the two questionnaires collected six months apart consisted of single items related to concerns about COVID-19 and the WHO-5 well-being index. Results: A total of 710 people with chronic conditions (mean age 60.9 years; 55.8% female) participated at both time points. In bivariate analyses, patient activation was associated with COVID-19-related concern and well-being. At follow-up, participants experienced a significant decrease in well-being. The decrease was associated with poorer well-being measured six months earlier, a greater perception that it had become more challenging to take care of one's health due to the pandemic, and finally, feeling lonely. The association between patient activation and well-being ceased to be significant in the multivariate regression model. Conclusions: A considerable proportion of people with chronic conditions participating in this study have been mentally burdened during COVID-19. Although lower levels of patient activation were associated with greater COVID-19-related concerns, it did not have a significant impact on mental well-being over time. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Preventative healthcare is crucial for improving individual patient outcomes and is integral to sustainable health systems. The effectiveness of prevention programs is enhanced by activated populations who are capable of managing their own health and are proactive to keep themselves well. However, little is known about the level of activation among people drawn from general populations. We used the Patient Activation Measure (PAM) to address this knowledge gap. Methods: A representative, population‐based survey of Australian adults was conducted in October 2021 during the Delta strain outbreak of the COVID‐19 pandemic. Comprehensive demographic information was collected, and the participants completed the Kessler‐6 psychological distress scale (K6) and PAM. Multinomial and binomial logistic regression analyses were performed to determine the effect of demographic factors on PAM scores, which are categorised into four levels: 1—participants disengaged with their health; 2—becoming aware of how to manage their health; 3—acting on their health; and 4—engaging with preventative healthcare and advocating for themselves. Results: Of 5100 participants, 7.8% scored at PAM level 1; 13.7% level 2, 45.3% level 3, and 33.2% level 4. The mean score was 66.1, corresponding to PAM level 3. More than half of the participants (59.2%) reported having one or more chronic conditions. Respondents aged 18 to 24 years old were twice as likely to score PAM level 1 compared with people aged 25–44 (p <.001) or people aged over 65 years (p <.05). Speaking a language other than English at home was significantly associated with having low PAM (p <.05). Greater psychological distress scores (K6) were significantly predictive of low PAM scores (p <.001). Conclusion: Overall, Australian adults showed high levels of patient activation in 2021. People with lower incomes, of younger age, and those experiencing psychological distress were more likely to have low activation. Understanding the level of activation enables targeting sociodemographic groups for extra support to increase the capacity to engage in prevention activities. Conducted during the COVID‐19 pandemic, our study provides a baseline for comparison as we move out of the pandemic and associated restrictions and lockdowns. Patient or Public Contribution: The study and survey questions were co‐designed with consumer researchers from the Consumers Health Forum of Australia (CHF) as equal partners. Researchers from CHF were involved in the analysis of data and production of all publications using data from the consumer sentiment survey. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Spine surgery candidates with Pain Self-Efficacy (PSEQ) <22 have 2x higher odds of daily opioid use • PSEQ <22 is associated with greater pain, disability, fatigue, and depression • Pain self-efficacy may hold value as a modifiable risk factor before surgery Pain self-efficacy, or the belief that one can carry out activities despite pain, has been shown to be associated with back and neck pain severity. However, the literature correlating psychosocial factors to opioid use, barriers to proper opioid use, and Patient-Reported Outcome Measurement Information System (PROMIS) scores is sparse. The primary aim of this study was to determine whether pain self-efficacy is associated with daily opioid use in patients presenting for spine surgery. The secondary aim was to determine whether there exists a threshold self-efficacy score that is predictive of daily preoperative opioid use and subsequently to correlate this threshold score with opioid beliefs, disability, resilience, patient activation, and PROMIS scores. Five hundred seventy-eight elective spine surgery patients (286 females; mean age of 55 years) from a single institution were included in this study. Retrospective review of prospectively collected data. PROMIS scores, daily opioid use, opioid beliefs, disability, patient activation, resilience. Elective spine surgery patients at a single institution completed questionnaires preoperatively. Pain self-efficacy was measured by the Pain Self-Efficacy Questionnaire (PSEQ). Threshold linear regression with Bayesian information criteria was utilized to identify the optimal threshold associated with daily opioid use. Multivariable analysis controlled for age, sex, education, income, and Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) and PROMIS-29, version 2 scores. Of 578 patients, 100 (17.3%) reported daily opioid use. Threshold regression identified a PSEQ cutoff score of <22 as predictive of daily opioid use. On multivariable logistic regression, patients with a PSEQ score <22 had two times greater odds of being daily opioid users than those with a score ≥22. Further, PSEQ <22 was associated with lower patient activation; increased leg and back pain; higher ODI; higher PROMIS pain, fatigue, depression, and sleep scores; and lower PROMIS physical function and social satisfaction scores (p<.05 for all). In patients presenting for elective spine surgery, a PSEQ score of <22 is associated with twice the odds of reporting daily opioid use. Further, this threshold is associated with greater pain, disability, fatigue, and depression. A PSEQ score <22 can identify patients at high risk for daily opioid use and can guide targeted rehabilitation to optimize postoperative quality of life. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Preoperative patient activation is an independent predictor of minimum clinically important difference (MCID) for PROMIS pain at 1-year follow-up. • Preoperative patient activation is an independent predictor of MCID for PROMIS physical function at 1-year follow-up. • Routine preoperative assessment of patient activation may help identify patients at risk for poor clinical outcomes. Patient activation is a patient's willingness to take independent actions to manage their own health care. The goal of this study is to determine whether preoperative patient activation measure (PAM) predicts minimum clinically important difference (MCID) for Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS) pain, physical function, depression, and anxiety for patients undergoing elective spine surgery. Retrospective review. A single-institution, academic database of patients undergoing elective spine surgery. MCID at 1-year follow-up for PROMIS pain, physical function, depression and anxiety. We retrospectively reviewed a single-institution, academic database of patients undergoing elective spine surgery. Preoperative patient activation was evaluated using the PAM-13 survey, which was used to stratify patients into four activation stages. Primary outcome variable was achieving MCID at 1-year follow-up for PROMIS pain and physical function. Multivariable logistic regression analysis was used to determine impact of patient activation on PROMIS pain and the physical function. Of the 430 patients, 220 (51%) were female with a mean age of 58.2±16.8. Preoperatively, 34 (8%) were in activation stage 1, 45 (10%) in stage 2, 98 (23%) in stage 3, and 253 (59%) in stage 4. At 1-year follow up, 248 (58%) achieved MCID for PROMIS physical function, 256 (60%) achieved MCID for PROMIS pain, 151 (35.28%) achieved MCID for PROMIS depression, and 197 (46%) achieved MCID for PROMIS anxiety. For PROMIS physical function, when compared to patients at stage 1 activation, patients at stage 2 (aOR:3.49, 95% CI:1.27, 9.59), stage 3 (aOR:3.54, 95% CI:1.40, 8.98) and stage 4 (aOR:7.88, 95% CI:3.29, 18.9) were more likely to achieve MCID. For PROMIS pain, when compared against patients at stage 1, patients at stage 3 (aOR:2.82, 95% CI:1.18, 6.76) and stage 4 (aOR:5.44, 95% CI:2.41, 12.3) were more likely to achieve MCID. For PROMIS depression, when compared against patients at stage 1, patients at stage 4 were more likely to achieve MCID (Adjusted Odds Ratio (aOR):2.59, 95% CI:1.08–6.19). For PROMIS anxiety, when compared against patients at stage 1, stage 3 (Adjusted Odds Ratio (aOR):3.21, 95% CI:1.20–8.57), and stage 4 (aOR:5.56, 95% CI:2.20–14.01) were more likely to achieve MCID. Patients at higher stages of activation were more likely to achieve MCID for PROMIS pain, physical function, depression, and anxiety at 1-year follow-up. Routine preoperative assessment of patient activation may help identify patients at risk of poor outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Patient activation refers to patients' independence in daily activities, involvement in the therapeutic process, and ability to manage their health. This study examined the association between the activation of patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and its effect on health indices. Objectives: To evaluate the association between the activation of patients with IBD measured by patient activation measure (PAM-13) questionnaire with disease activity and quality of life in IBD. Design: A retrospective cross-sectional study. Methods: This study included patients with Crohn's Disease (CD) or ulcerative colitis (UC) followed at a large medical center in Israel, who were recruited during routine visits. They answered weekly questionnaires using a mobile smartphone application that included clinical and emotional disease parameters, including IBD control, quality of life [short IBD quality of life questionnaire (SIBDQ)], patient-reported outcomes measurement information system (PROMIS-10) and PAM-13. Additional clinical parameters were collected from electronic medical records. Results: Among 201 patients (113 females) who responded to the questionnaires, 152 (75.6%) had CD and 49 (24.4%) UC. For PAM-13, 158 (79%) patients were at PAM-13 levels 3–4 (mean score: 68.5, range: 60.0–73.1) and 43 (21%) were at levels 1–2 (mean score: 45.2, range: 40.9–49.9). PAM-13 levels were correlated with IBD control (r = 0.19, p = 0.023), SIBDQ (r = 0.20, p = 0.010), and PROMIS-10 score (r = 0.24, p = 0.017). Conclusions: Our findings demonstrate the importance of patient activation and engagement in IBD. Knowledge of patient activation may enable caregivers to predict levels of self-care and the likelihood of compliance with health behavior recommendations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction/Objective: The patient activation measure (PAM) is considered a reliable tool for measuring patient activation. This study aimed to systematically review the scientific literature regarding the use of PAM − 13 in rheumatology patients and to compare PAM scores in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) following two different practices at a single institution with previously published studies. Methods: The study consisted of a systematic review of articles reporting the PAM-13 in patients with RA, followed by a cross-sectional study evaluating PAM scores between standard rheumatology clinics and specialized rheumatology clinics (SRCs). The correlation between PAM levels and other variables, such as demographics, disease characteristics, and treatment, was assessed. Results: Nineteen studies, published between 2012 and 2022, met the inclusion criteria. The studies in this review had inconsistent results and quality, with patient activation in RA ranging from 29 to 76. A total of 197 patients with confirmed RA diagnoses were interviewed (response rate, 88%). Most were female (n=173, 88%) and older than 40 years (n=150, 76%). The average patient activation score was 64.9 (standard deviation, 15.7). Most participants had level 3 and 4 patient activation measures (n=71 [36%] and n=72[37%], respectively). Patients who were attending SRCs also had borderline higher PAM levels. Patients with high PAM scores tended to be older, have active disease, and were taking corticosteroids. Conclusion: Adequate activation of patients was observed from our center, which was higher than that reported in most published literature. The PAM of patients with RA was variable according to the systematic review. Longitudinal interventional studies should be considered to improve activation in patients with low scores. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Patient engagement, adaptation and self-management play a critical role in improving Health Related Quality of Life (HRQOL) and reducing health care utilization in chronic disorders. There is no data on the level of patient engagement in patients with cyclic vomiting syndrome (CVS); we thus sought to determine their level of engagement and its association with clinical covariates. The Patient Activation Measure (PAM-13), a validated tool that measures the degree of patient engagement in their health was administered prospectively to patients with CVS. Data on demographics, health care utilization, and HRQOL (using the NIH PROMIS 10) were obtained. Patients were stratified into low engagement (PAM 1 & 2) and high engagement (PAM 3 & 4). The Fisher's exact test and Wilcoxon rank-sum tests were used to identifying significant differences between the groups. Of 96 patients, 45% of patients had low levels of patient engagement. On multivariate analysis, low patient engagement was significantly associated with an increased number of CVS hospitalizations in the past year (aOR 1.26 [1.07, 1.54] p =.010), lower mental HRQOL scores (aOR 0.88 [0.78, 0.97] p =.022), current tobacco use (aOR 4.85 [1.24, 22.74] p =.031), and patients who were newly established in a specialized CVS clinic (aOR 44.40 [5.38, 70.02] p =.002). Almost half of CVS patients demonstrate poor patient engagement, which is associated with poor outcomes. Identifying these patients and treatment in a specialized CVS center can potentially improve HRQOL, reduce health care utilization and improve overall healthcare outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Increased patient activation is associated with improved health outcomes; however, little is known about patient activation in people with end‐stage kidney disease at the start of their dialysis journey. This study aimed to measure activation status changes over the first 4 months of dialysis. Methods: Prospective, longitudinal, and observational study. Incident patients initiating dialysis at 25 in‐center hemodialysis and 17 home dialysis programs across three US states managed by the same dialysis provider completed the 13‐item Patient Activation Measure (PAM‐13) survey at baseline (month 1 after commencement of dialysis) and follow‐up (month 4). The survey yields a score (0–100) that corresponds to four levels (1–4), with higher scores or levels indicating higher activation. Findings: One hundred eighty‐two participants (139 center, 43 home) completed both baseline and follow‐up surveys. Mean age was 60 ± 15 years, 40% female. Mean PAM‐13 scores were 65.1 ± 16.8 and 64.8 ± 17.8 at baseline and follow‐up, respectively; mean intraindividual change: −0.3 ± 17.3. The proportions of patients at levels 1–4 at baseline were 11%, 23%, 35%, and 31% respectively. At follow‐up, 50%, 64%, 52%, and 37% of participants at levels 1–4, respectively, changed to a different PAM level (Spearman correlation = 0.47; p < 0.001). Home dialysis was associated with higher PAM scores when compared to in‐center hemodialysis in multivariable analyses, adjusted for sociodemographic variables, comorbidities, and predialysis nephrology care (β = 5.74, 95% confidence intervals [CI]: 0.11–11.37 and 9.02, 95% CI: 3.03–15.02, at baseline and follow–up, respectively). Discussion Although aggregated group scores and levels remained stable, intra‐individual patient activation changed significantly during the first 4 months of dialysis. This novel finding is foundational to future projects aiming to design interventions to improve patient activation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Exploring mediators of preventive intervention effects has important implications for the planning of complex interventions. Our aim was to assess the extent to which knowledge, skills and confidence to manage health, here measured as "patient activation", was a mediator of the effect of the intervention "Live your life without diabetes" on weight, waist circumference and systolic blood pressure at 12 months follow-up in adults at high risk of type 2 diabetes.Methods: Autoregressive path models with three time points of measurement, and contemporaneous and constant b paths were used in a randomised controlled trial (RCT). The RCT took place in a Danish municipal healthcare center and included 127 individuals aged 28 to 70 years with fasting plasma glucose: 6.1-6.9 mmol/l and/or glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c): 42.0-47.9 mmol/mol. Participants were randomised to routine care (n = 64), or intervention (n = 63). The intervention group received an empirical and theory-based intervention delivered over four two-h group sessions during five weeks, and two further sessions after one and six months. The outcomes were weight, waist circumference and systolic blood pressure, and the mediator was patient activation, measured by the self-reported Patient Activation Measure (PAM). Data for the present study was derived from questionnaires and clinical measures from baseline, three- and 12-months follow-up.Results: Mediated effects via PAM on: weight: - 0.09 kg (95% CI - 0.38 to 0.20) out of the total effect - 1.09 kg (95% CI - 3.05 to 0.87); waist circumference: - 0.04 cm (95% CI - 0.36 to 0.28) out of the total effect - 1.86 cm (95% CI - 4.10 to 0.39); and systolic blood pressure: - 0.31 mmHg (- 1.10 to 0.49) out of the total effect - 2.73 mmHg (95% CI - 6.34 to 0.87).Conclusion: We found no mediating effects of patient activation as a single variable of the intervention "Live your life without diabetes" on weight, waist circumference and systolic blood pressure at 12 months follow-up in adults at high risk of type 2 diabetes. Our study demonstrates an analytic approach for estimating mediating effects in complex interventions that comply with the criteria on temporal ordered data. Future studies should include possible interacting variables. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: To report patient activation, which is the knowledge, skills, and confidence in self-managing health conditions, and patient-reported outcomes of men after prostate cancer treatment from a community pharmacy lifestyle intervention. Methods: The 3-month lifestyle intervention was delivered to 116 men in nine community pharmacies in the UK. Patient Activation Measure (PAM) was assessed at baseline, 3 and 6 months. Prostate cancer-related function and quality of life were assessed using the European Prostate Cancer Index Composite (EPIC-26) and EuroQOL 5-dimension 5-level (EQ5D-5L) questionnaires at baseline and 6 months. Lifestyle assessments included Mediterranean Diet Adherence Screener (MEDAS) at baseline, 3 and 6 months and Godin Leisure Time Exercise Questionnaire (GLTEQ) at baseline and 3 months. Results: PAM score increased from 62 [95% CI 59–65] at baseline to 66 [64–69] after the intervention (p = 0.001) and remained higher at 6 months (p = 0.008). Scores for all the EPIC-26 domains (urinary, bowel and hormonal) were high at both assessments, indicating good function (between 74 [70–78] and 89 [86–91]), except sexual domain, where scores were much lower (21 [17–25] at baseline, increasing to 24 [20–28] at 6 months (p = 0.012)). In EQ5D-5L, 3% of men [1–9] reported self-care problems, while 50% [41–60] reported pain and discomfort, and no significant changes over time. Men who received androgen deprivation therapy, compared with those who did not, reported higher (better) urinary incontinence scores (p < 0.001), but lower (worse) scores in the urinary irritative/obstructive (p = 0.003), bowel (p < 0.001) and hormonal (p < 0.001) domains. Poor sexual function was common across all age groups irrespective of prostate cancer treatment. Conclusions: The intervention led to significant improvements in patient activation, exercise and diet. Community pharmacy could deliver effective services to address sexual dysfunction, pain and discomfort which are common after prostate cancer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Self-management is considered important in the management of patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) or sarcoidosis. However, data about the degree of activation for self-management is lacking. Objectives: The aim of the study was to determine the degree of activation for self-management in patients with IPF or sarcoidosis using the Patient Activation Measure (PAM) and to evaluate the association between PAM scores, clinical characteristics, and health-related outcomes. Study Design and Methods: This cross-sectional prospective study assessed besides the PAM also demographics, lung function, dyspnea (modified Medical Research Council [mMRC]), fatigue (Checklist Individual Strength-Fatigue [CIS-Fatigue]), anxiety/depression (Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale [HADS-A/HADS-D]), and generic health status (EuroQol five-dimensional-five-level [EQ-5D-5L]). Results: Mean PAM was 55.0 (9.1) points in patients with IPF (n = 59) and low levels of patient activation for self-management (PAM ≤55.1 points) were present in 56% of the patients. PAM Scores correlated significantly (p < 0.05) with mMRC (ρ = −0.476), HADS-A (ρ = −0.326), HADS-D (ρ = −0.459), and EQ-5D-5L (ρ = 0.393). In patients with sarcoidosis (n = 59), the mean PAM score was 55.7 (11.0) points, and 46% of the patients reported low PAM levels. Significant correlations were found with mMRC (ρ = -0.356), HADS-A (ρ = −0.394), HADS-D (ρ = −0.478), and EQ-5D-5L (ρ = 0.313). Conclusion: About half of the outpatients with IPF or sarcoidosis have a low degree of activation for self-management, and these patients generally report more dyspnea, anxiety, depression, and a lower health status. Whether patients with a low degree of activation can be successful in self-managing their disease remains to be determined. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Preliminary effectiveness test of a novel structured personalized discharge teaching intervention for multimorbid inpatients. Using a 2-group sequential pre/post-intervention design, the sample comprised 68 pre-intervention control group and 70 post- intervention group participants. The discharge teaching intervention by trained clinical nurses used structured tools to engage patients and individualize discharge teaching. Outcomes measures included Patient Activation Measure, Readiness for Hospital Discharge Scale, Discharge Care Experiences Survey, and readmission with 10 days post-discharge. The intervention had a statistically significant positive effect on improving patient activation (M =4.8; p = 0.05) from admission to post-discharge. The participation subscale of the Discharge Care Experiences Survey was higher in the intervention (M =4.1, SD =0.7) than the control group (M =3.8, SD =0.7; t (127)= −2.79, p =.01, effect size=.34). There were no significant between-group differences in Readiness for Hospital Discharge Scale and readmission. Our results suggest that a structured personalized discharge teaching intervention can improve patient activation and participation in discharge care. Further refinement of the intervention is needed to evaluate and improve specific components of the intervention. Structured personalized discharge teaching should include patient engagement strategies in the teaching-learning process. • Many patients lack information on managing their health after hospitalization. • We tested a discharge teaching intervention tailored to the patient's activation level. • The intervention group had a statistically significant increase in activation. • The intervention group reported greater perceived participation in discharge care. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Restrictions on face-to-face contact, due to COVID-19, led to a rapid adoption of technology to remotely deliver cardiac rehabilitation (CR). Some technologies, including Active+me, were used without knowing their benefits. We assessed changes in patient activation measure (PAM) in patients participating in routine CR, using Active+me. We also investigated changes in PAM among low, moderate, and high risk patients, changes in cardiovascular risk factors, and explored patient and healthcare professional experiences of using Active+me.Methods: Patients received standard CR education and an exercise prescription. Active+me was used to monitor patient health, progress towards goals, and provide additional lifestyle support. Patients accessed Active+me through a smart-device application which synchronised to telemetry enabled scales, blood pressure monitors, pulse oximeter, and activity trackers. Changes in PAM score following CR were calculated. Sub-group analysis was conducted on patients at high, moderate, and low risk of exercise induced cardiovascular events. Qualitative interviews explored the acceptability of Active+me.Results: Forty-six patients were recruited (Age: 60.4 ± 10.9 years; BMI: 27.9 ± 5.0 kg.m2; 78.3% male). PAM scores increased from 65.5 (range: 51.0 to 100.0) to 70.2 (range: 40.7 to 100.0; P = 0.039). PAM scores of high risk patients increased from 61.9 (range: 53.0 to 91.0) to 75.0 (range: 58.1 to 100.0; P = 0.044). The PAM scores of moderate and low risk patients did not change. Resting systolic blood pressure decreased from 125 mmHg (95% CI: 120 to 130 mmHg) to 119 mmHg (95% CI: 115 to 122 mmHg; P = 0.023) and waist circumference measurements decreased from 92.8 cm (95% CI: 82.6 to 102.9 cm) to 85.3 cm (95% CI 79.1 to 96.2 cm; P = 0.026). Self-reported physical activity levels increased from 1557.5 MET-minutes (range: 245.0 to 5355.0 MET-minutes) to 3363.2 MET-minutes (range: 105.0 to 12,360.0 MET-minutes; P < 0.001). Active+me was acceptable to patients and healthcare professionals.Conclusion: Participation in standard CR, with Active+me, is associated with increased patient skill, knowledge, and confidence to manage their condition. Active+me may be an appropriate platform to support CR delivery when patients cannot be seen face-to-face.Trial Registration: As this was not a clinical trial, the study was not registered in a trial registry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: A valid and reliable measure is essential to assess patient engagement and its impact on health outcomes. This study aimed to examine the psychometric properties of the 8-item Altarum Consumer Engagement Measure™ (ACE Measure) among English-speaking community-dwelling adults in Singapore.Methods: This cross-sectional study involved 400 randomly selected community-dwelling adults (mean age: 49.7 years, 50.0% were female, 72.3% were Chinese) who completed the English version of the 8-item ACE Measure independently. The item-level statistics were described. The internal consistency of the measure was measured by Cronbach alpha and item-rest correlations. Validity of the tool was assessed by 1) factorial validity using confirmatory factor analysis (CFA), 2) hypothesis-testing validity by correlating ACE subscales (Commitment and Navigation) with health-related outcomes, and 3) criterion validity against the Patient Activation Measure and Health Confidence Measure.Results: There was no floor or ceiling effect for Commitment and Navigation subscales, and the Cronbach alpha for each subscale was 0.76 and 0.54, respectively. The two-factor structure was confirmed by CFA. In general, Commitment and Navigation subscales were positively correlated with frequency of activity participation (rho = 0.30 - 0.33) and EQ-5D visual analog scale (rho = 0.15 - 0.30). Individuals who perceived better health than peers had higher subscale scores (p < 0.01). Each subscale score had moderate and positive correlations with activation score (rho = 0.48 - 0.55) and health confidence score (rho = 0.35 - 0.47).Conclusions: The two-subscale ACE Measure demonstrated good construct validity in English-speaking Singapore community-dwelling adults. Evidence in internal consistency was mixed, indicating further investigation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effect of a self-management program on activation and inner strength in patients with cardiovascular diseases (CVDs).Methods: This study assigned 86 patients with CVDs to an experimental and a comparison group utilizing alternate allocation based on a quasi-experimental design. The experimental group participated in a self-management program based on a theoretical framework in three stages, i.e. orientation-recognition, reinforcing-engaging and monitoring-follow-up; whereas the comparison group received routine care. The supportive program was administered through holding five individual face-to-face sessions, providing educational booklets and performing four phone-call follow-ups during three months after discharge. The outcomes were measured using the patient activation measure (PAM) and the inner strength scale (ISS).Results: The between group analysis indicated a statistically-significant difference in the mean score of patient activation (P < 0.001) in the two groups. Nevertheless, there was not a statistically-insignificant difference in the mean score of inner strength between the two groups (P < 0.104).Conclusion: Although a three-month nurse-led self-management support program was found to improve patient activation levels, it was ineffective in promoting inner strength.Practice Implications: Psychosocial dynamics should be integrated in providing self-management program by nurses. To promote patient activation, tailored consultations is recommended. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: There is increasing awareness of the importance of patient activation (knowledge, skills, and confidence for managing one's health and health care) among clinicians and policy makers, with emerging evidence showing higher levels of patient activation are associated with better health outcomes and experiences of health care. This study aimed to examine the association between patient activation and a wide range of specific types of healthcare service utilisation in England, including GP and non-GP primary care, elective and emergency hospital admissions, outpatient visits, and attendances at the Accident and Emergency department.Methods: Data were derived from linked electronic patient records collected by primary and secondary healthcare providers in North West London between January 2016 and November 2019. Our analyses focused on adults (18+) with a valid Patient Activation Measure (PAM). After excluding patients with missing data, we had an analytical sample of 15,877 patients. Data were analysed using negative binomial regression and logistic regression models depending on the outcome variable.Results: Patients had a mean activation score of 55.1 and a standard deviation (SD) of 17.7 (range: 0-100). They had an average of 5.4 GP visits (SD = 8.0), 26.8 non-GP visits (SD = 23.4) and 6.0 outpatient attendances (SD = 7.9) within a one-year follow-up. About 24.7% patients had at least one elective admission, 24.2% had one or more emergency admissions, and 42.3% had one or more A&E attendance within the follow-up. After accounting for a number of demographic and health factors, we found a linear (or proximately linear) association between patient activation and the number of GP visits, emergency admissions and A&E attendance, but a non-linear relationship between patient activation and the number of non-GP visits, the number of outpatient attendance and elective inpatient admission.Conclusions: This study has provided strong empirical evidence from England linking patient activation with healthcare service utilisation. It suggests the value of supporting patient activation as a potential pathway to ease the burden of healthcare system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Patient contextual data (PCD) are often missing from electronic health records, limiting the opportunity to incorporate preferences and life circumstances into care. Engaging patients through tools that collect and summarize such data may improve communication and patient activation. However, differential tool adoption by race might widen health care disparities. Objective: Determine if a digital tool designed to collect and present PCD improves communication and patient activation; secondarily, evaluate if use impacts outcomes by race. Design, Setting, and Participants: A pragmatic, two-armed, non-blinded, randomized controlled trial conducted during 2019 in a primary care setting. Intervention: The PCD tool (PatientWisdom) invited patients to identify preferences, values, goals, and barriers to care. Patients were randomized to a standard pre-visit email or facilitated enrollment with dedicated outreach to encourage use of the tool. Main Outcomes and Measures: Outcomes of interest were post-visit patient communication and patient activation measured by the Communication Assessment Tool (CAT) and Patient Activation Measure (PAM), respectively. Outcomes were evaluated using treatment-on-the-treated (TOT) and intention-to-treat (ITT) principles. Key Results: A total of 301 patients were enrolled. Facilitated enrollment resulted in a five-fold increase in uptake of the PCD tool. TOT analysis indicated that the PCD tool was associated with notable increases in specific CAT items rated as excellent: "treated me with respect" (+ 13 percentage points; p = 0.04), "showed interest in my ideas" (+ 14 percentage points; p = 0.03), "showed care and concern" (+ 16 percentage points; p = 0.02), and "spent about the right amount of time with me" (+ 11 percentage points; p = 0.05). There were no significant pre/post-visit differences in PAM scores between arms (− 4.41 percentage points; p = 0.58). ITT results were similar. We saw no evidence of the treatment effect varying by race in ITT or TOT analyses. Conclusions and Relevance: The inclusion of PCD enhanced essential aspects of patient-provider communication but did not affect patient activation. Outcomes did not differ by race. Trial Registration: Clincaltrials.gov identifier: NCT03766841 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Vision loss and blindness are significant causes of disability. Patient activation has been previously unstudied in individuals with vision loss. Among our 146 participants, visual acuities for 38.3 percent were better than 20/70, 43.2 percent had acuities between 20/70 and 20/400, and 12.3 percent had acuities of <20/400. Participants with lower Patient Activation Measure scores missed more clinic visits (p = 0.017); those participants with caregivers also had lower PAM scores (p = 0.002). Targeting interventions to address patient activation in patients with vision loss may increase patient involvement in their care, increase treatment protocol adherence, and improve outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: The objectives of this review are to (1) describe the state of the science of patient activation interventions for the self-management of chronic conditions; (2) identify effective intervention elements for improving patient activation; and (3) compare intervention effectiveness across chronic conditions.Methods: This systematic review followed the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses statement (PRISMA). PubMed, CINAHL, and Web of Science databases were searched.Results: Thirty-two articles published between 2005 and 2019 were identified with intervention elements of self-management, disease management, and education. Meta-analysis of a subset of seven randomized controlled trials (n = 7) that used the 13-item version of the Patient Activation Measure with data collection points at 6 months demonstrated that patient activation did not change significantly in comparison with controls (MD = 0.25, 95 % CI = 0.02-0.47).Conclusion: Most interventions reported significant improvement in patient activation and were linked to tasks such as regular exercise and monitoring glucose. However, the meta-analysis of RCTs did not confirm these findings.Practice Implications: Patient activation can be assessed and addressed uniformly across all chronic conditions to improve patient engagement in care. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence recommends the use of digital and mobile health technologies to facilitate behaviour change interventions. Due to its high prevalence and dependence upon patient self-management strategies, osteoarthritis is one musculoskeletal condition which may benefit from such approaches. This is particularly pertinent due to the increasing use of remote monitoring technologies to collect patient data and facilitate self-management in individuals outside of hospital clinics. In practice however, application of digital behaviour change interventions is difficult due to insufficient reporting of behaviour change theories in the current literature. When digital technologies are employed to alter behaviour change in osteoarthritis, they often focus on physical activity. Currently, such interventions focus of self-efficacy but do not often explicitly report the behaviour change techniques they use to facilitate these changes.Methods: This paper proposes a new model of integrating specific behaviour change principles (persuasive design) in an integrated model of remote monitoring and digital behaviour change interventions for osteoarthritis.Results: There is potential to combine remote monitoring systems of patient data through digital and mobile technologies with behaviour change principles to improve physical activity behaviours in individuals with osteoarthritis. The use of persuasive design principles (e.g. prompts or nudges) through mobile notifications and strategic system design can be directed to enhance behaviour change. A validated measure of behaviour change, such as the patient activation measure, will allow effective evaluation of such systems.Conclusions: Digital behaviour change interventions should be directed towards the underlying principles of behaviour change they employ, although this is not commonly reported in practice. Such interventions can be integrated within remote monitoring pathways using persuasive design techniques to enhance patient activation. This approach can enhance self-management in individuals with musculoskeletal conditions, such as osteoarthritis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The purpose of this study was to describe the effects of COVID-19 social distancing on the function, health, and well-being of people with Parkinson disease (PD), and test the association of these effects with patients' activation levels, i.e., their skills and confidence in managing their health.Methods: Community-dwelling individuals with PD answered an anonymous web-based survey. Part 1 included 27 multiple-choice questions regarding changes in function, health, medical care, and well-being. Part 2 consisted of the Patient Activation Measure, which enquired about skills and confidence in managing one's health.Results: Respondents (N = 142) reported decreases in various function (24.8%-37.3%), health (33.8%-43%), and well-being (26.1%-47.1%) domains. Rehabilitation ceased for 61.2%. Among those reporting a worsening of health, 67.8% associated this with the cessation of rehabilitative treatments or decrease in physical activity. Patients' activation levels were inversely correlated with increased assistance for activities of daily living, increased tiredness, worsening symptoms, and lack of support from family and friends.Conclusions: Social distancing had a major negative impact on the health and function of people with PD.Practical Implications: Supporting people with PD skills and confidence in managing health may preserve their physical and mental health during this period of dramatic changes in life's circumstances. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Little is known about the association between patient activation, health, service utilization, and cost among mental health (MH) patients. Patients aged 18 to 64 with schizophrenia (Sz, n = 43), bipolar disorder (BD, n = 59), or major depressive disorder (MDD, n = 34) completed the Patient Activation Measure for Mental Health (PAM-MH), the Colorado Symptom Index, demographic, socioeconomic, treatment, and social support questionnaire items. Average PAM-MH score indicated BD patients the most activated (66.6 ± 17.5), Sz (57.4 ± 10.4) less activated, and MDD the least activated (55.4 ± 14.6). The MDD cohort had the highest ($27,616 ± 26,229) and the BD had the lowest total annual healthcare cost ($18,312 ± 25,091). PAM-MH score was inversely correlated with healthcare costs and regression analysis showed a PAM-MH score × gender interaction. The strongest negative relationship between PAM and cost was for males. These analyses support the inverse association between PAM-MH and healthcare service utilization and cost. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To assess whether participation in Stanford Youth Coaches Programs (SYCP) increases patient activation scores and patient activation levels for vulnerable youth from low income communities.Methods: From 2016 to 18, seven high schools and four residency programs in California, Alabama, Kansas and Missouri participated in SYCPs. Enrolled youth participants completed online pre and post-participation surveys including the Patient Activation Measure (PAM®10). We used paired T-tests, chi square tests, and linear multivariate models to compare pre-and post-scores and levels.Results: 143 participants completed pre- and post-participation surveys. The PAM®10 mean pre-test score was 64.5 and post-test was 69.37, with mean difference 4.89 (p=.002). Participants showed significant improvement in patient activation levels after participation. 60 % participants in lowest activation Level 1; 63 % in Level 2; and 32 % in Level 3 moved to a higher level of activation after participation; 46 % who started in Level 4 moved down to Level 3 after participation.Conclusion and Practice Implications: Participation in SYCPs has potential to significantly increase patient activation for vulnerable youth which could lead to lifelong improvements in health outcomes and decrease in healthcare costs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Shared decision-making (SDM) is widely recognized as a core strategy to improve patient-centered care. However, the implementation of SDM in routine care settings has been slow and its impact mixed.Objective: We examine the temporal association of patient activation and patients' experience with the SDM process to assess the dominant directionality of this relationship.Design: Patient activation, or a patients' knowledge, skills, and confidence in self-management, was assessed using the 13-item Patient Activation Measure (PAM). Patient-reported assessment of the SDM process was assessed using the 3-item CollaboRATE measure. Patients at 16 adult primary care practices were surveyed in 2015 and 2016 on PAM (α = 0.92), CollaboRATE (α = 0.90), and demographics. The relationship between PAM and CollaboRATE was estimated using a cross-lagged panel model with clustered robust standard errors and practice fixed effects, controlling for patient characteristics.Participants: 1222 adult patients with diabetes and/or cardiovascular disease with survey responses at baseline (51% response rate) and a 1-year follow-up (73% response rate).Results: PAM (mean 3.27 vs 3.28 on a range of 1 to 4; p = 0.082) and CollaboRATE (mean 3.62 vs 3.63 on a range of 1 to 5; p = 0.14) did not change significantly over time. In adjusted analyses, the path from baseline PAM to follow-up CollaboRATE (β = 0.35; p < 0.0001) was stronger than the path from baseline CollaboRATE to follow-up PAM (β = 0.04; p = 0.001).Conclusions: The relationship between patient activation and patients' experiences of the SDM process is bidirectional, but dominated by baseline patient activation. Rather than promoting the use of SDM for all patients, healthcare organizations should prioritize interventions to promote patient activation and engage patients with relatively high activation in SDM interventions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Optimum management after an acute coronary syndrome (ACS) requires considerable patient engagement/activation. Religious practices permeate people's lives and may influence engagement in their healthcare. Little is known about the relationship between religiosity and patient activation.Objective: To examine the association between religiosity and patient activation in hospital survivors of an ACS.Design: Secondary analysis using baseline data from Transitions, Risks, and Actions in Coronary Events: Center for Outcomes Research and Education (TRACE-CORE) Study.Participants: A total of 2067 patients hospitalized for an ACS at six medical centers in Central Massachusetts and Georgia (2011-2013).Main Measures: Study participants self-reported three items assessing religiosity-strength and comfort from religion, making petition prayers, and awareness of intercessory prayers for health. Patient activation was assessed using the 6-item Patient Activation Measure (PAM-6). Participants were categorized as either having low (levels 1 and 2) or high (levels 3 and 4) activation.Results: The mean age of study participants was 61 years, 33% were women, and 81% were non-Hispanic White. Approximately 85% derived strength and comfort from religion, 61% prayed for their health, and 89% received intercessory prayers for their health. Overall, 58% had low activation. Reports of a great deal (aOR, 2.02; 95% CI, 1.44-2.84), and little/some (aOR, 1.45; 95% CI, 1.07-1.98) strength and comfort from religion were associated with high activation, as were receipt of intercessions (aOR, 1.48; 95% CI, 1.07-2.05). Praying for one's health was associated with low activation (aOR, 0.78; 95% CI, 0.61-0.99).Conclusions: Most ACS survivors acknowledge religious practices toward their recovery. Strength and comfort from religion and intercessory prayers for health were associated with high patient activation. Petition prayers for health were associated with low activation. Healthcare providers should use knowledge about patient's religiosity to enhance patient engagement in their care. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: This secondary analysis examined the relationships between Patient Activation Measure (PAM) scores, use of health services, and HgA1C. Design: A feasibility study was conducted for a community‐based intervention for high‐risk adults with uncontrolled diabetes. Data were collected at baseline and monthly, including PAM and modified Diabetes Self‐Management Assessment Report Tool. Intervention: Participants (n = 58) were randomized to a 3‐month nurse (RN) telephone management or community health worker (CHW) in‐home intervention, focusing on medication adherence, timely follow‐up, diabetes self‐management coaching, and linkage to resources. Results: Sample was mostly female (73%), African‐American (90%), low income (75%), high school education or less (80%), and mean age of 59 years. A positive association between PAM score and self‐reported diabetes care recommendations was found (r =.356, p =.014) and significant correlation between baseline PAM score and HgA1C levels (r = −.306, p =.029). A paired samples t test showed statistically significant increases in PAM scores in the CHW intervention group (mean increase +8.5, CI [+2.49 to +14.65]); baseline (M = 60.31, SD = 13.3) to end of study ([M = 68.89, SD = 16.39], t(22) = 2.924, p =.008 [two‐tailed]). Conclusion: A community‐based approach to diabetes management demonstrated a positive effect on patient activation. Although disparities in health care access among rural, low‐income populations exist, community‐based interventions show potential for improving patient engagement in diabetes management and recommended health services. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Little is known about strategies to improve patient activation, particularly among persons living with HIV (PLWH).Objective: To assess the impact of a group intervention and individual coaching on patient activation for PLWH.Design: Pragmatic randomized controlled trial.Sites: Eight practices in New York and two in New Jersey serving PLWH.Participants: Three hundred sixty PLWH who received care at participating practices and had at least limited English proficiency and basic literacy.Intervention: Six 90-min group training sessions covering use of an ePersonal Health Record loaded onto a handheld mobile device and a single 20-30 min individual pre-visit coaching session.Main Measures: The primary outcome was change in Patient Activation Measure (PAM). Secondary outcomes were changes in eHealth literacy (eHEALS), Decision Self-efficacy (DSES), Perceived Involvement in Care Scale (PICS), health (SF-12), receipt of HIV-related care, and change in HIV viral load (VL).Key Results: The intervention group showed significantly greater improvement than the control group in the primary outcome, the PAM (difference 2.82: 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.32-5.32). Effects were largest among participants with lowest quartile PAM at baseline (p < 0.05). The intervention doubled the odds of improving one level on the PAM (odds ratio 1.96; 95% CI 1.16-3.31). The intervention group also had significantly greater improvement in eHEALS (difference 2.67: 95% CI 1.38-3.9) and PICS (1.27: 95% CI 0.41-2.13) than the control group. Intervention effects were similar by race/ethnicity and low education with the exception of eHealth literacy where effects were stronger for minority participants. No statistically significant effects were observed for decision self-efficacy, health status, adherence, receipt of HIV relevant care, or HIV viral load.Conclusions: The patient activation intervention modestly improved several domains related to patient empowerment; effects on patient activation were largest among those with the lowest levels of baseline patient activation.Trial Registration: This study is registered at Clinical Trials.Gov (NCT02165735). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Despite worldwide interest in reducing re-hospitalization, there is limited knowledge regarding characteristics of patients who chose to decline participation in such efforts and why. The aim is to explore reasons to decline participation in an intervention using motivational interviewing to reduce re-hospitalization through patient activation for persons with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease or heart failure.Methods: This study uses data from 385 patients who were asked about participating in a randomized controlled trial; of these, 232 declined participation. Data on age, gender, and diagnosis were collected for those who agreed to participate and those who declined. Reasons to decline participation were collected for those who were asked to participate but refused. The stated reasons to decline were analyzed using content analysis, and the categories identified were used for the statistical analysis.Results: The main reasons for declining participation were having sufficient support (17.5%), no need for support (16%), being too ill (14.6%), and lack of time for illness-related activities (14.2%). A statistically significant negative association between age and willingness to participate was found (odds ratio = - 0.03, 95% confidence interval 0.95-0.99).Conclusions: Those who agreed to participate were younger than non-participants, and non-participants either lacked time for illness-related activities or did not have the energy needed to become involved in the intervention.Trial Registration: ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT02823795 . Registered on 1 July 2016. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Programs to improve quality of care and lower costs for the highest utilizers of health services are proliferating, yet such programs have difficulty demonstrating cost savings.Objective: In this study, we explore the degree to which changes in Patient Activation Measure (PAM) levels predict health care costs among high-risk patients.Participants: De-identified claims, demographic data, and serial PAM scores were analyzed on 2155 patients from multiple medical groups engaged in an existing Center for Medicare and Medicaid Innovation-funded intervention over 3 years designed to activate and improve care coordination for high-risk patients.Design: In this prospective cohort study, four levels of PAM (from low to high) were used as the main predictor variable. We fit mixed linear models for log10 of allowed charges in follow-up periods in relation to change in PAM, controlling for baseline PAM, baseline costs, age, sex, income, and baseline risk score.Main Measures: Total allowed charges were derived from claims data for the cohort. PAM scores were from a separate database managed by the local practices.Key Results: A single PAM level increase was associated with 8.3% lower follow-up costs (95% confidence interval 2.5-13.2%).Conclusions: These findings contribute to a growing evidence base that the change in PAM score could serve as an early signal indicating the impact of interventions designed for high-cost, high-needs patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To demonstrate how the chronic care model can be applied in prenatal care.Methods: This study was conducted through analysis of data generated in the women's health and family medicine departments of one community hospital and two medical centers across three states (Georgia, Nevada, and Virginia). 159 low-risk obstetric patients were monitored throughout their pregnancy for patient activation and biometric measures including: blood pressure at each appointment, baby's gestational age at birth, and mode of delivery. Patient activation was assessed with the validated, licensed patient activation measure.Results: Patient activation was strongly associated with the Prenatal Interpersonal Processes of Care metric (F (2, 155) = 3.41, p < .05). Also, increased age, decreased Prenatal Interpersonal Processes of Care, fewer pregnancies, and increased diastolic blood pressure were associated with an increased likelihood of cesarean delivery and the model correctly predicted 81% of cases.Conclusion: Women who identified as feeling more activated reported more positive pregnancy experiences, and women who reported more positive pregnancy experiences were more likely to experience a vaginal delivery.Practice Implications: Activated patients, more positive prenatal experience, and improved delivery outcomes can be achieved through applying the chronic care model. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To evaluate the use of the PAM in the English National Health service. The PAM is a validated scale that measures 'activation' (people's knowledge, skills, and confidence in managing their health) and assigns patients to four categories of activation (low-to-high). Some evidence suggests that higher activation levels correlate to better clinical outcomes and patient experiences, and lower healthcare costs. Empirical studies of implementing the PAM are scarce.Methods: An ethnographic study of six healthcare organisations' PAM implementation focused on 'core-teams' who designed projects, and frontline staff and patients' experiences of those. Data comprised 123 hours of observation, 112 interviews, and document reviewing. Analysis used a constant-comparative approach.Results: The PAM appealed as it fitted with different logics of measurement, offering a means of quantifying soft, process-oriented qualitative constructs used in tailoring care, whilst simultaneously producing reliable high-level outcome metrics. Data revealed challenges to these logics. The PAM's developers emphasised fidelity to ensure reliability but, in practice, flexibility was commonplace and often perceived as appropriate and beneficial by frontline staff.Conclusion: The intended logic of measurement is important in determining an appropriate balance of fidelity and flexibility and, therefore, reliability and patient benefit. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Patient activation-the knowledge, skills, and confidence to manage one's health-is associated with improved self-management behaviors for several chronic conditions. This study assesses rates of patient activation in breast and prostate cancer survivors and explores the characteristics associated with patient activation.Methods: A cross-sectional study of survivors with localized (Stage I or II) breast and prostate cancers who were post-treatment (between 1-10+ years) were recruited from 4 community hospital sites in New Jersey. Survey data on patient characteristics (demographic and psychosocial) and clinical factors were assessed to explore the relationships with patient activation using the Patient Activation Measure-13.Results: Among 325 survivors (112 prostate; 213 breast), overall patient activation was high (M = 3.25). Activation was significantly lower among prostate survivors when compared with breast cancer survivors (M = 3.25 [SD, 0.38] vs M = 3.34 [SD, 0.37], P<.05). For prostate survivors, race (P < .05), marital status (P < .001), employment status (P < .01), household income (P < .05), and fear of recurrence (P < .01) were significantly associated with patient activation. For both groups, ease of access to oncology team and primary care physicians (PCPs) (all P values < .001) and perceptions of time spent with oncologists' team and PCPs (all P values < .01) were positive predictors of activation.Conclusions: In both breast and prostate survivors, access to providers (both PCPs and oncologists) and perception that adequate time spent with providers were associated with activation. Therefore, clinical interventions maybe a promising avenue to improve patient activation. Research is needed to develop and test tailored patient activation interventions to improve self-management among cancer survivors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We sought to examine the literature using the Patient Activation Measure (PAM) or the Patient Enablement Instrument (PEI) with high-need, high-cost (HNHC) patients receiving care in urban safety net settings. Urban safety net care management programs serve low-income, racially/ethnically diverse patients living with multiple chronic conditions. Although many care management programs track patient progress with the PAM or the PEI, it is not clear whether the PAM or the PEI is an effective and appropriate tool for HNHC patients receiving care in urban safety net settings in the United States. We searched PubMed, EMBASE, Web of Science, and PsycINFO for articles published between 2004 and 2015 that used the PAM and between 1998 and 2015 that used the PEI. The search was limited to English-language articles conducted in the United States and published in peer-reviewed journals. To assess the utility of the PAM and the PEI in urban safety net care settings, we defined a HNHC patient sample as racially/ethnically diverse, low socioeconomic status (SES), and multimorbid. One hundred fourteen articles used the PAM. All articles using the PEI were conducted outside the U.S. and therefore were excluded. Nine PAM studies (8%) included participants similar to those receiving care in urban safety net settings, three of which were longitudinal. Two of the three longitudinal studies reported positive changes following interventions. Our results indicate that research on patient activation is not commonly conducted on racially and ethnically diverse, low SES, and multimorbid patients; therefore, there are few opportunities to assess the appropriateness of the PAM in such populations. Investigators expressed concerns with the potential unreliability and inappropriate nature of the PAM on multimorbid, older, and low-literacy patients. Thus, the PAM may not be able to accurately assess patient progress among HNHC patients receiving care in urban safety net settings. Assessing progress in the urban safety net care setting requires measures that account for the social and structural challenges and competing demands of HNHC patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The 13-item Patient Activation Measure (PAM-13) is an instrument that assesses people's knowledge, skills and confidence for self-management of their health and health care. Scores on the PAM-13 have been shown to predict adherence to health behaviours, health-related outcomes and health care costs.Objectives: To develop a European Spanish adaptation of the original PAM-13 and to examine its psychometric properties in a sample of chronic patients.Methods: The PAM-13 was forward-backward translated and then completed by chronic patients attending a primary health care centre. Data were analysed with a Rasch model. We assessed the functioning of the rating scale, its reliability, the item goodness-of-fit, differential item functioning (DIF), local dependence, unidimensionality and correlation analysis.Results: A total of 208 patients (80%) completed the questionnaire. Data showed a fit to the Rasch model. More than 50% of patients endorsed all the items. Item rank for the Spanish sample was similar to the original, with few differences. We found significant differences (P < 0.05) in PAM-13 measures according to adherence to prescribed medicines and positive correlations with self-efficacy and physical quality of life.Conclusions: The European Spanish PAM-13 is a reliable and valid instrument for assessing activation in patients with chronic disease in Spain. We suggest adding new items to the instrument so as to examine patients with higher activation levels in the future. Further studies are needed to evaluate the usefulness of this new Spanish PAM-13 in different settings and populations, as well as to examine the relationship between PAM-13 scores and other health-related outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To identify the variables affecting patients' online health information-seeking behaviours by examining the relationships between patient participation in their healthcare and online health information-seeking behaviours.Methods: A cross-sectional survey of Italian chronic patients (N=352) was conducted on patient's online health information-seeking behaviours and patient participation-related variables. Structural equation modeling analysis was conducted to test the hypothesis.Results: This study showed how the healthcare professionals' ability to support chronic patients' autonomy affect patients' participation in their healthcare and patient's online health information-seeking behaviours. However, results do not confirm that the frequency of patients' online health-information seeking behavior has an impact on their adherence to medical prescriptions.Conclusion: Assuming a psychosocial perspective, we have discussed how patients' engagement - conceived as the level of their emotional elaboration of the health condition - affects the patients' ability to search for and manage online health information.Practice Implication: To improve the effectiveness of patients' online health information-seeking behaviours and to enhance the effectiveness of technological interventions in this field, healthcare providers should target assessing and improving patient engagement and patient empowerment in their healthcare. It is important that health professionals acknowledge patients' online health information-seeking behaviours that they discuss the information offered by patients and guide them to reliable and accurate web sources. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To examine whether patient activation is predictive of the course of diabetes over a three year period among patients with and without diabetes.Methods: Longitudinal analyses utilized electronic health record data from 2011 to 2014. We examined how the patient activation measure (PAM) was predictive of 2014 diabetes-related outcomes among patients with diabetes (n=10,071); pre-diabetes (n=1804); and neither diabetes nor pre-diabetes (n=46,402). Outcomes were clinical indicators (blood pressure, cholesterol, and trigylcerides), costly utilization, and progression from no diabetes to pre-diabetes or diabetes.Results: Higher PAM level predicted better clinical indicator control in patients with diabetes. In patients with pre-diabetes, PAM level predicted better clinical indicator control, and those in the highest level of PAM in 2011 had lower odds of having a hospitalization compared to those in the lowest level. In patients without diabetes or pre-diabetes in 2011, higher PAM level was associated with lower odds of developing pre-diabetes.Conclusions: More activated patients with diabetes and pre-diabetes had better outcomes than less activated patients. More activated patients without diabetes or pre-diabetes were less likely to develop pre-diabetes over a three year period.Practice Implications: Strategies to improve patient activation may be useful to help curb the diabetes epidemic. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: We assess how patient activation is associated with behaviors and experiences of people with cancer, including: understanding risks; making treatment decisions; communicating with providers; coping with symptoms; and adhering to regimens.Methods: The study utilizes survey data from six surveys each including 500 cancer survivors. Multivariate analyses are presented.Results: Higher activated patients are more than 9 times more likely to feel their treatment plans reflect their values, 4.5 times more likely to cope with side effects, and almost 3.3 times more likely to initiate a healthier diet after their diagnosis, than are less activated patients. Less activated patients are less likely understand their diagnosis, to follow treatment regimens, and to be satisfied with their care.Conclusions: The findings show that all along the care continuum, patient activation is associated with differences in experiences.Practice Implications: The findings point to the value of assessing patients' activation levels at the beginning of their cancer experience. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Increasing bodies of scientific research today examines the factors and interventions affecting patients’ ability to self-manage and adhere to treatment. Patient activation is considered the most reliable indicator of patients’ ability to manage health autonomously. Only a few studies have tried to assess the role of psychosocial factors in promoting patient activation. A more systematic modeling of the psychosocial factors explaining the variance of patient activation is needed. Objective: To test the hypothesized effect of patient activation on medication adherence; to test the the hypothesized effects of positive emotions and of the quality of the patient/doctor relationship on patient activation; and to test the hypothesized mediating effect of Patient Health Engagement (PHE-model) in this pathway. Material and methods: This cross-sectional study involved 352 Italian-speaking adult chronic patients. The survey included measures of i) patient activation (Patient Activation Measure 13 –short form); ii) Patient Health Engagement model (Patient Health Engagement Scale); iii) patient adherence (4 item-Morinsky Medication Adherence Scale); iv) the quality of the patients’ emotional feelings (Manikin Self Assessment Scale); v) the quality of the patient/doctor relationship (Health Care Climate Questionnaire). Structural equation modeling was used to test the hypotheses proposed. Results: According to the theoretical model we hypothesized, research results confirmed that patients’ activation significantly affects their reported medication adherence. Moreover, psychosocial factors, such as the patients’ quality of the emotional feelings and the quality of the patient/doctor relationship were demonstrated to be factors affecting the level of patient activation. Finally, the mediation effect of the Patient Health Engagement model was confirmed by the analysis. Conclusions: Consistently with the results of previous studies, these findings demonstrate that the Patient Health Engagement Model is a critical factor in enhancing the quality of care. The Patient Health Engagement Model might acts as a mechanism to increase patient activation and adherence. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The Michigan Oncology Quality Consortium (MOQC) is a continuous quality improvement collaborative seeking to improve oncology care in Michigan, including for patients taking oral chemotherapy. The aim of this study was to assess the relationship between patient activation, confidence to self-manage side effects, and adherence to oral oncolytics to inform future oncology care.Methods: A multicenter cross-sectional observational study was conducted using an online survey to examine patient activation (patient activation measure, PAM), health literacy, symptom burden (Edmonton Symptom Assessment System, ESAS), confidence to self-manage side effects (fatigue, nausea, and diarrhea), and adherence to oral oncolytics. Inclusion criteria were patients taking an oral oncolytic for at least 1 month. Bivariate analyses and logistic regression were performed to evaluate relationships between the variables.Results: A total of 125 respondents, mean (SD) age 66.2 (13.6), 57.7% female, and 95.1% Caucasian completed the survey. The mean (SD) PAM score was 65.0 (18.0). Confidence to manage fatigue, nausea, and diarrhea was associated with higher activation, and confidence to self-manage fatigue and diarrhea were associated with higher health literacy. About 30% of participants reported some level of non-adherence to oral oncolytics, and those who experienced side effects (Fisher's exact test p = 0.033) and with shorter length of therapy (t test p = 0.027) were significantly more likely to be non-adherent.Conclusions: These findings show that there is room for improvement across practices involved with MOQC with regard to supporting patients taking oral oncolytics. Patients will need to improve their activation levels, and oncology clinics will need to create new workflows in order to enhance self-care management ability for patients taking oral oncolytics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To investigate the effect of having a contract for self-referral to inpatient treatment (SRIT) in patients with severe mental disorders.Methods: A randomized controlled trial with 53 adult patients; 26 participants received a SRIT contract, which they could use to refer themselves into a Community Mental Health Centre up to five days for each referral without contacting a doctor in advance. Outcomes were assessed after 12 months with the self-report questionnaires Patient Activation Measure (PAM-13), Recovery Assessment Scale (RAS), and the Behavior and Symptom Identification Scale (BASIS-32) and analyzed using linear mixed and regression models.Results: There was no significant effect on PAM-13 (estimated mean difference (emd) -0.41, 95% CI (CI):-7.49-6.67), nor on the RAS (emd 0.02, CI:-0.27-0.31) or BASIS-32 (0.09, CI:-0.28-0.45). An exploratory post hoc analysis showed effect of SRIT in those with low PAM below ≤47 (p=0.049).Conclusion: There were no group differences after 12 months, but both groups maintained their baseline levels.Practice Implications: SRIT contracts can be recommended as it supports the rights to self-determination, promote user participation in decision-making in own treatment without any indication of adverse effects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Active patient engagement is increasingly viewed as essential to ensuring that patient-driven perspectives are considered throughout the research process. However, guidance for patient engagement (PE) in HRQoL research does not exist, the evidence-base for practice is limited, and we know relatively little about underpinning values that can impact on PE practice. This is the first study to explore the values that should underpin PE in contemporary HRQoL research to help inform future good practice guidance.Methods: A modified 'World Café' was hosted as a collaborative activity between patient partners, clinicians and researchers: self-nominated conference delegates participated in group discussions to explore values associated with the conduct and consequences of PE. Values were captured via post-it notes and by nominated note-takers. Data were thematically analysed: emergent themes were coded and agreement checked. Association between emergent themes, values and the Public Involvement Impact Assessment Framework were explored.Results: Eighty participants, including 12 patient partners, participated in the 90-min event. Three core values were defined: (1) building relationships; (2) improving research quality and impact; and (3) developing best practice. Participants valued the importance of building genuine, collaborative and deliberative relationships-underpinned by honesty, respect, co-learning and equity-and the impact of effective PE on research quality and relevance.Conclusions: An explicit statement of values seeks to align all stakeholders on the purpose, practice and credibility of PE activities. An innovative, flexible and transparent research environment was valued as essential to developing a trustworthy evidence-base with which to underpin future guidance for good PE practice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The Patient Activation Measure (PAM-13) measures patients' knowledge, skill, and confidence in chronic condition self-management. The purpose of this study was to assess the validity of PAM-13 (English version) among English-speaking adults with cardiac conditions in Singapore.Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in a convenient sample of 270 heart clinic patients. Using the unitary concept of validity, evidence of (1) internal structure via data quality, unidimensionality, differential item functioning, and internal consistency, (2) response process through item difficulty and item fit using Rasch modeling, and (3) relationship to other variables via correlations with depression and self-efficacy were examined.Results: The item response was high with only one missing answer. All items had a small floor effect, but nine out of 13 items had a ceiling effect larger than 15 %. Cronbach's α was 0.86, and average inter-item correlations was 0.324. Results suggested unidimensionality; however, differences in item difficulty ranking were found. A low, negative correlation was found with depression, while a moderate, positive correlation was found with self-efficacy.Conclusion: Evidence in all three areas of validity were mixed. Caution should be exercised when using categorical activation "level" to inform clinical decisions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]