Measuring patient activation: The utility of the Patient Activation Measure within a UK context—Results from four exemplar studies and potential future applications

Roberts, N J; Kidd, L; Dougall, N; Patel, I S; McNarry, S; Nixon, C

Abstract

Objective
Patient activation can be measured using the Patient Activation Measure (PAM) developed by Hibbard et al., however, little is known about the uses of the PAM in research and in practice. This study aims to explore its differing utility in four UK exemplar sites.
Methods
Data from four exemplars in a range of health settings with people living with long-term conditions (i.e. stroke or COPD) were evaluated. PAM scores were described and explored in relation to clinical and sociodemographic variables and outcome measures.
Results
PAM scores illustrated that most with COPD or stroke reported PAM levels of 3 or 4, indicating that they are engaging, but may need help to sustain their scores. The exemplars illustrate the utility of, and potential issues involved in, using PAM as a process/outcome measure to predict activation and the effectiveness of interventions, and as a tool to inform tailoring of targeted interventions.
Conclusions
The PAM tool has been shown to be useful as an outcome measure, a screening tool to tailor education, or a quality indicator for delivery of care.
Practice implications
However good demographic and patient history are needed to substantiate PAM scores. Further work is needed to monitor PAM prospectively.

Citation

Roberts, N. J., Kidd, L., Dougall, N., Patel, I. S., McNarry, S., & Nixon, C. (2016). Measuring patient activation: The utility of the Patient Activation Measure within a UK context—Results from four exemplar studies and potential future applications. Patient Education and Counseling, 99(10), 1739-1746. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pec.2016.05.006

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: May 8, 2016
• Online Publication Date: May 9, 2016
• Publication Date: 2016-05
• Deposit Date: Sep 1, 2016
• Journal: Patient Education and Counseling
• Print ISSN: 0738-3991
• Electronic ISSN: 1873-5134
• Publisher: Elsevier
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 99
• Issue: 10
• Pages: 1739-1746
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pec.2016.05.006
• Keywords: Patient activation; Self-management; Long term conditions
• Public URL: http://researchrepository.napier.ac.uk/Output/369482