Making the Most of Your Healthcare intervention for older adults with multiple chronic illnesses.
OBJECTIVE
This study tested the efficacy of a patient engagement intervention for older adults with multiple chronic illnesses.


METHODS
Seventy-nine participants were randomly assigned to receive the intervention (Intervention Group), contacts on a different topic (Safety Group), or Usual Care. The Intervention and Safety Groups attended a 2-h workshop and participated in phone calls; one before and one after a naturally-occurring medical encounter. The Intervention Group discussed patient engagement concepts from publicly distributed content. The Safety Group discussed general safety (e.g., fire safety, identity theft). Self-report measures were gathered by telephone interview at Baseline and 6-months following Baseline.


RESULTS
We did not find expected improvements in patient activation and health-related quality of life. However, the Intervention Group was the only group to show a statistically significant improvement in self-efficacy for self-management.


CONCLUSIONS
The intervention shows promise for improving quality of life and/or health, but requires refinement to reach persons not already engaged in their healthcare and to strengthen its effects.


CONCLUSIONS
Patient-directed skills training interventions may be a successful way to support clinicians' and others' efforts to encourage older patients to be actively involved in their care.
Hochhalter
Angela K
AK
Scott & White Healthcare and Texas A&M Health Science Center, 2401 S 31st Street CDM, Temple, TX 76508, USA. ahochhalter@swmail.sw.org
Song
Juhee
J
Rush
Jennifer
J
Sklar
Lisa
L
Stevens
Alan
A
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002908:Chronic Disease; D003695:Delivery of Health Care / Q000458:organization & administration*; D005260:Female; D058015:Health Communication; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010353:Patient Education as Topic; D010358:Patient Participation; D011320:Primary Health Care / Q000458:organization & administration* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011788:Quality of Life; D012648:Self Care; D020377:Self Efficacy; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D013689:Telephone; D016896:Treatment Outcome