title: Measuring patient activation: The utility of the Patient Activation Measure within a UK context-Results from four exemplar studies and potential future applications.
abstract: 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.
  
  
  
  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.
  
  
  
  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.
  
  
  
  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.
  
  
  
  However good demographic and patient history are needed to substantiate PAM scores. Further work is needed to monitor PAM prospectively.
authors.affiliation: Institute for Applied Health Research, School of Health and Life Sciences Glasgow Caledonian University, Cowcaddens Road, Glasgow G4 0BA, UK. Electronic address: nicola.roberts@gcu.ac.uk.
authors.forename: N J
authors.initials: NJ
authors.lastname: Roberts
authors.affiliation: School of Nursing & Midwifery, Robert Gordon University, Garthdee Road, Aberdeen AB10 7QG, UK.
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Kidd
authors.affiliation: Nursing Midwifery and Allied Health Professions Research Unit School of Health Sciences, University of Stirling, Unit 13 Scion House, Stirling FK9 4NF, UK.
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Dougall
authors.affiliation: King's Health Partners Academic Health Sciences Centre, London, UK.
authors.forename: I S
authors.initials: IS
authors.lastname: Patel
authors.affiliation: Pulmonary Rehabilitation, Edinburgh Community Health Partnership, NHS Lothian, UK.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: McNarry
authors.affiliation: Co-creating Health Project Team, Ayrshire Central General Hospital, Irvine KA12 8SS, UK.
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Nixon
mesh_terms: D002908:Chronic Disease; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D063868:Patient Outcome Assessment; D010358:Patient Participation / Q000379:methods* / Q000523:psychology; D018802:Patient-Centered Care; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011594:Psychometrics / Q000295:instrumentation*; D029424:Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive / Q000628:therapy*; D011788:Quality of Life; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012648:Self Care / Q000523:psychology*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires / Q000592:standards / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006113:United Kingdom
keywords: Long term conditions; Patient activation; Self-management