Does patient activation level affect the cancer patient journey?
OBJECTIVE
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.


CONCLUSIONS
The findings point to the value of assessing patients' activation levels at the beginning of their cancer experience.
University of Oregon, Health Policy Research Group, Eugene, OR 97403-1209, USA. Electronic address: jhibbard@uoregon.edu.
Judith H
JH
Hibbard
Institute for Critical Junctures, Bellingham, WA, USA. Electronic address: bilmah@cablespeed.com.
Eldon
E
Mahoney
CancerCare, 275 Seventh Ave, New York, NY 10001, USA. Electronic address: esonet@cancercare.org.
Ellen
E
Sonet
D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001294:Attitude to Health; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000523:psychology* / Q000628:therapy; D010358:Patient Participation; D057240:Patient Preference; D010817:Physician-Patient Relations; D011788:Quality of Life; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D017741:Survivors / Q000523:psychology*
Cancer care; Patient activation; Patient engagement; Patient experience