The effect of patient empowerment on patient activation level: A review of individuals with cardiovascular diseases

Objectives The aim of this study is to examine the effect of patient empowerment on patient activation level in individuals with cardiovascular diseases. Methods The population of the study is adult individuals receiving inpatient treatment in the Cardiology clinic of a city hospital operating in Turkey. In the study, convenience sampling method was applied, and a questionnaire was conducted from 543 patients. Results As a result of the analyses made in the study, positive and low correlations were detected between the patient empowerment scale sub-dimensions and the patient activation level. According to regression analysis results, it was identified that the patient empowerment sub-dimensions together accounted for 6.4% of the total variance on the patient activation level, and the increase in the ‘knowledge and understanding’ levels of the patients statistically increased their perceptions of the patient activation level. Discussion The results show that by providing patient empowerment in individuals with chronic diseases, their active participation can be increased in the treatment processes and consequently in the chronic disease management.