Authors

  1. Stichler, Jaynelle F. DNSc, RN, NEA-BC, FACHE, FAAN
  2. Pelletier, Luc R. MSN, APRN, PMHCNS-BC, FAAN

Abstract

Background: Patient or person-centered care has become a widely used philosophical framework and yet has varying definitions and characteristics. Person-centered care has recently been conceptualized as patient empowerment, engagement, and activation with studies citing positive outcomes.

 

Purpose: This study reports the psychometric properties of the Patient Empowerment, Engagement, and Activation Survey.

 

Methods: An instrument development and testing approach was used.

 

Results: A 21-item survey was developed demonstrating respectable Cronbach [alpha] coefficients for the total scale ([alpha] = 0.88) and for each subscale: Empowerment ([alpha] = 0.71), Engagement ([alpha] = 0.81), and Activation ([alpha] = 0.76). A regression analysis with 1 item, "I am ready to be discharged" as the dependent variable and all other items as independent variables explained 65% of the variance in readiness for discharge (P < .001).

 

Discussion: The Patient Empowerment, Engagement, and Activation Survey can be used to evaluate patients' perspectives of care quality (empowerment and engagement) and readiness for discharge (activation).