Document Type

Essay

Publication Date

Spring 5-8-2017

Abstract

The purpose of this article was to review the current research regarding patient activation among diverse populations. Patient activation is defined as an individual’s knowledge, skill, and confidence in managing his or her own health and health care. A total of 62 articles were used in this review (54 primary research articles, six retrospective analyses, and two systematic reviews). Articles were obtained using the EBSCO search engine through the Leatherby Libraries at Chapman University. Preliminary and secondary searches were conducted using the keywords “patient activation.” Only articles published within the last ten years (2007 to 2017) were included to ensure the most current data was examined. Two landmark studies from 2004 and 2005 were included as well. All articles were required to meet the relevance of the paper: an overview of patient activation among diverse populations. Additional articles related to the patient activation measure as well as the theory, outcomes, and interventions of patient activation were included. The selected articles presented data from normal, low socioeconomic status and minority, older adult, chronically ill, obese, diabetic, HIV-infected, mentally ill, neurological, orthopedic surgical, hospitalized, clinical, and parental populations. Patient activation was significantly associated with a wide range of positive health outcomes and clinical markers. Higher patient activation scores were related to lower healthcare costs, beneficial health behaviors, and improved confidence in health management. Emphasizing patient activation bodes a more sustainable future health care system.

Comments

Megan Kenney won Second Place in the 2016-2017 Kevin and Tam Ross Undergraduate Research Prize for her essay about patient activation (a measure of an individual’s knowledge, skill, and confidence in managing his or her own health and health care) among diverse populations. This essay is the original scholarship that emerged from that research.

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