TITLE:
The Effects of Patient Empowerment Scale in Chronic Diseases
AUTHORS:
Michael Galanakis, Sofia Tsoli, Christina Darviri
KEYWORDS:
Patient Empowerment, Chronic Diseases, Empowerment Outcome Measures, Quality of Life, Self-Esteem, Decision Making
JOURNAL NAME:
Psychology,
Vol.7 No.11,
October
31,
2016
ABSTRACT: 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.