Author(s)

Michael Galanakis¹, Sofia Tsoli², Christina Darviri^2*

¹Panteion University of Social and Political Sciences, Athens, Greece.
²Postgraduate Course Science of Stress and Health Promotion, School of Medicine, University of Athens, Athens, Greece.

Chronic diseases in patients have always been a significant sector of study by various scientists. Patient’s empowerment in situations like these has an enormous importance in order to succeed a better knowledge of how to face these difficulties. The value of empowerment is enormous and has to be the goal of modern research. When it is found in the patient’s behavior, we can definitely agree to the fact that he is able to make decisions on his own and to have the total control of his life, along with its problems for example when his health is in danger, or when he faces a sentimental problem. The consequences of stress in our life can be immense and they have a negative effect on the self-confidence of the individuals, as well. The Patient Empowerment Scale (PES) was measured to the patients with chronic diseases through a systematic review. The Patient Empowerment Scale (PES) has been evaluated with the use of Pubmed/Medline. Of the 118 studies included in this review, 44 articles presented inclusion criteria. 27 scales were obtained through open access and they were evaluated through the participation definition. Of the 27 studies included there were 14 studies that measured patient empowerment in chronic diseases, 4 studies showed data for calculation of an SMD for self-efficacy disease-specific outcomes, 2 studies included a measurement of self-esteem, measured with the Rosenberg Self-esteem (RSE) Scale, 4 studies that measured the decision making and there were 3 studies that included the quality of life measurement. The evolution of the patient’s health, through self-management, can be improved on increasing his empowerment. It is very important for a clinical to provide his patient with all the necessary material and to give him the possibility of a productive conversation, in order to succeed an increased empowerment on his patient. Future studies will have to broaden their criteria to include different languages, longer time period and larger sample.

Patient Empowerment, Chronic Diseases, Empowerment Outcome Measures, Quality of Life, Self-Esteem, Decision Making

Galanakis, M. , Tsoli, S. and Darviri, C. (2016) The Effects of Patient Empowerment Scale in Chronic Diseases. Psychology, 7, 1369-1390. doi: 10.4236/psych.2016.711138.