Effects of an empowerment-based psychosocial intervention on quality of life and metabolic control in type 2 diabetic patients

Tailoring nursing interventions to empower patients: personal coping strategies and self-management in type 2 diabetes care

BACKGROUND

Diabetes is one of the most common chronic diseases that severely reduce a patient's quality of life. Effective self-care and management are critical for maintaining blood glucose levels and preventing complications.

AIM

This study evaluates the effectiveness of a structured diabetes self-management education program on patients' self-management behaviors, empowerment, and activation levels.

METHODS

This study employed a quasi-experimental design involving 100 participants aged 30-65 to improve diabetes self-management and empowerment. Over 16 weeks, the program included three phases: a two-week pre-test phase for recruitment and baseline assessments using the Diabetes Self-Management Questionnaire (DSMQ), Diabetes Empowerment Scale (DES), and Patient Activation Measure (PAM); a 12-week intervention phase featuring weekly 90-minute educational sessions on topics such as diet, exercise, medication adherence, stress management, and self-empowerment; and a two-week post-test phase for follow-up assessments using the same tools. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, chi-square tests for PAM levels, and paired t-tests for DSMQ and DES scores, with statistical significance set at p < 0.05.

RESULTS

The study demonstrated significant improvements in participants' self-management, empowerment, and activation levels after the intervention. DSMQ scores increased from 64.5 to 68.6 (p < 0.001), DES scores rose from 65.4 to 70.0 (p = 0.001), and the number of participants at the highest PAM activation level (Level 4) grew from 30 to 50 (p = 0.016). Positive correlations among DSMQ, DES, and PAM scores suggest these improvements are interrelated.

CONCLUSION

The structured diabetes self-management education programme significantly impacted participants' self-management behaviors, empowerment, and activation levels. The findings underscore healthcare professionals' need to implement targeted interventions that facilitate patient engagement in diabetes care.

RECOMMENDATION

Future interventions should be designed to address the specific needs of diverse populations, paying attention to those facing socio-economic challenges. It is vital to facilitate greater access to diabetes self-management education to enhance health outcomes for these demographic groups.

Effect of peer support interventions in patients with type 2 diabetes: A systematic review

OBJECTIVE

This study aims to assess the effectiveness of a peer support intervention on the quality of life (QOL), self-management, self-efficacy, glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c), and depression in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM).

METHODS

A systematic review was conducted by searching 10 databases, namely PubMed, The Cochrane Library, Embase, Medline, CINHAL, Web of Science, Sinomed, CNKI, WanFang Data, and VIP for articles published from January 1974 to April 2023.

RESULTS

A total of 12 studies were included. A narrative synthesis of the results showed that peer support significantly improved QOL, self-management, self-efficacy, and HbA1c control in patients with T2DM, but had no significant effect on depression.

CONCLUSION

Peer support is an effective intervention for individuals with T2DM. Future research should focus on more rigorously designed and larger-sample studies.

PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS

Peer support proves to be effective for managing patients with T2DM. Current peer support interventions can provide valuable ideas that can guide the direction of future research.

Patient Empowerment Among Transgender and Gender Diverse Youth

Purpose: Patient empowerment is becoming increasingly important as health care moves toward more collaborative models of care. The goal of this study was to evaluate and characterize patient empowerment in a sample of transgender/gender-diverse/nonbinary (TGDNB) youth aged 14-24 who have had at least one conversation with a medical health care provider about gender-affirming care. Methods: We adapted a health care empowerment scale for use with TGDNB young people and collected patient empowerment and sociodemographic data among TGDNB youth in the United States over an 8-week period in the spring of 2022. Overall and domain-specific empowerment (including knowledge and understanding, control, identity, decision-making, and supporting others) were assessed on a four-point scale from a low of 1 to a high of 4. Results: A total of 177 youth completed the survey. Mean age was 18.4 ± 3.0 years, the sample was 39.5% gender-diverse/nonbinary, 16.4% transfemme, 44.1% transmasc, and 81.9% White. Average empowerment was 0.22 points higher in youth with supportive caregivers than those without (99% confidence interval [CI] 0.05-0.38, p < 0.001) and 0.20 points higher in youth who sought gender-affirming mental health support (99% CI 0.04-0.36, p = 0.001). Caregiver support increased youths' sense of control over their health/health care (estimated increase 0.29, 99% CI 0.09-0.50, p < 0.001), and mental health support increased youths' decision-making agency by 0.30 points (99% CI 0.06-0.53, p = 0.001). Conclusions: This is the first study to assess patient empowerment in TGDNB youth. Several sociodemographic factors were significantly associated with overall and domain-level empowerment. Further work in this area, both longitudinal and in larger samples, is warranted.

Effect of Empowerment Model-Based Program on Quality of Life in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Background

Type 2 diabetes (T2D) is a chronic disease with a high prevalence globally, which is in the second place of importance for the investigation of chronic diseases. According to previous studies, Quality of Life (QOL) is low in diabetic patients. Hence, this study was conducted with the aim to evaluate the effect of the empowerment model on the QOL of patients with T2D.

Materials and Methods

A randomized controlled trial was performed on 103 T2D patients over 18 years of age, with a definitive diagnosis of diabetes and medical records in a diabetic center. Patients were randomly assigned to either the intervention or the control groups. Routine education was presented to the control group, and the empowerment model was used for education in the experimental group for 8 weeks. The data collection tools used consisted of a demographic characteristics form and the diabetic clients QOL questionnaire. The one-way analysis of variance, Chi-square test, paired t-test, and independent t-test were used for data analysis.

Results

After the intervention, there were significant differences between the two groups in terms of the physical (p = 0.003), mental (p = 0.002), social (p = 0.013), economic (p = 0.042), and illness and treatment dimensions of QOL (p = 0.033), as well as the total QOL score (p = 0.011).

Conclusions

According to the results of this study, the training program based on empowerment significantly increased the QOL of patients with T2D. Therefore, using this method can be recommended in patients with T2D.

The longitudinal association between patient empowerment and patient-reported outcomes: What is the direction of effect?

BACKGROUND

Theoretical literature and cross-sectional studies suggest empowerment is associated with other patient-reported outcomes (PROs). However, it is not known if patient empowerment is leading to improvements in other PROs or vice versa.

AIMS

The present study aimed to examine the direction of effects between patient empowerment and PROs in young persons with congenital heart disease (CHD).

METHODS

As part of the STEPSTONES-CHD trial, adolescents with CHD from seven pediatric cardiology centers in Sweden were included in a longitudinal observational study (n = 132). Data were collected when patients were 16 (T0), 17 (T1) and 18 ½ years old (T2). The Gothenburg Young Persons Empowerment Scale (GYPES) was used to measure patient empowerment. Random intercepts cross-lagged panel models between patient empowerment and PROs (communication skills; patient-reported health; quality of life; and transition readiness) were undertaken.

RESULTS

We found a significant cross-lagged effect of transition readiness over patient empowerment between T1 and T2, signifying that a higher level of transition readiness predicted a higher level of patient empowerment. No other significant cross-lagged relationships were found.

CONCLUSION

Feeling confident before the transition to adult care is necessary before young persons with CHD can feel in control to manage their health and their lives. Clinicians interested in improving patient empowerment during the transitional period should consider targeting transition readiness.

Effectiveness of motivational interviewing among patients with COPD: A systematic review with meta-analysis and trial sequential analysis of randomized controlled trials

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the effectiveness of motivational interviewing (MI) for COPD in behavioral changes and health outcomes, and also verify the reliability of results in conjunction with trial sequential analysis and the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation tool.

METHODS

Studies that implemented MI interventions for COPD patients were systematically searched by eight databases from inception to December 2021. Study screening, quality assessment, data extraction, and meta-analysis were conducted according to Cochrane standards.

RESULTS

Twenty-one studies involving 2344 patients were included. The results of meta-analyses indicated that MI made significant improvement in self-efficacy, lung function, quality of life, emotion, and COPD-related admission, but not in self-management and exercise capacity. Subgroup analyses found that the intervention duration was inversely associated with effect size for both self-efficacy and negative emotion severity. The trial sequential analysis showed MI improved patients' lung function and reduced COPD-related hospitalization with certainty, but the findings for exercise capacity need to be confirmed by further research.

CONCLUSIONS

This systematic review suggested the positive effects of MI on self-efficacy, lung function, quality of life, emotion and COPD-related hospitalization. To make a firm conclusion, more well-designed clinical trials with bigger sample sizes required.

PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS

Clinical and community nurses can use MI for COPD to increase healthy behaviors.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

CRD42021278674.

Comparing the effectiveness of Family Support for Health Action (FAM-ACT) with traditional community health worker-led interventions to improve adult diabetes management and outcomes: study protocol for a randomized controlled trial

BACKGROUND

Diabetes self-management education and support (DSMES) programs have struggled to deliver sustainable, effective support for adults with diabetes (AWDs) to improve self-management behaviors, achieve glycemic goals, and reduce risk for complications. One largely untapped resource for this support is AWDs' social networks. Fifty to 75% of AWDs have an unpaid family member or friend ("support person") who provides ongoing help with diabetes management. However, DSMES interventions to date lack structured and effective approaches to directly engage support persons in AWDs' diabetes management.

METHODS

This parallel arm randomized trial is designed to determine the effectiveness of Family Support for Health Action (FAM-ACT), a novel community health worker (CHW)-delivered program focused on educating and supporting patients with type 2 diabetes (T2D) and their support persons (SPs), relative to an established, CHW-delivered, individual patient-focused DSMES and care management (I-DSMES) intervention. Both interventions were developed using a community-based participatory research (CBPR) approach. The study will be conducted in partnership with an urban Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC) serving a low-income, Latino/a community, with target enrollment of 268 dyads consisting of an FQHC patient with T2D with high HbA1c and an SP. Patient-SP dyads will be randomized to receive FAM-ACT or I-DSMES over 6 months. The primary outcome is change in patient HbA1c from baseline to 6 months. Secondary patient outcomes include 12-month change in HbA1c, changes in patient blood pressure, diabetes self-management behaviors, diabetes distress, patient activation, diabetes self-efficacy, and perceptions of and satisfaction with SP support for diabetes. Secondary SP outcomes include self-efficacy for helping the patient with diabetes management and SP distress about the patient's diabetes. We also will assess the effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on patient's ability to manage diabetes.

DISCUSSION

This study will inform scalable, evidence-based approaches that leverage family support to help AWDs improve and sustain self-management strategies that underpin optimal management of multiple diabetes complication risk factors. The protocol is designed for and evaluated with a low-income and predominantly Latino/a community, which may increase applicability to other similar communities. The COVID-19 pandemic presented several challenges to study protocol and intervention delivery; modifications made to address these challenges are described.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

ClinicalTrials.gov NCT03812614. Registered on 18 January 2019.

Patient empowerment and self-management behaviour of chronic disease patients: A moderated mediation model of self-efficacy and health locus of control

AIMS

To explore the role of self-efficacy (SE) in the effect of patient empowerment on self-management behaviours among patients with chronic illness and to investigate the moderating effect of three types of health locus of control (HLC) in this moderated mediation model.

DESIGN

Cross-sectional design.

METHODS

Data were collected in a general tertiary hospital, and a sample of 254 patients was recruited between August and October 2020. The effect of moderation and mediation was tested by the PROCESS macro (Model 4 and Model 8) for SPSS 25.0 by Hayes using 5000 bootstrap samples.

RESULTS

Self-efficacy significantly mediated the relationship between patient empowerment and self-management behaviour with a 95% confidence interval excluding zero. The chance HLC demonstrated a moderating effect, and the interaction effect on SE and self-management behaviour was significant.

CONCLUSION

Patient empowerment may improve confidence and adherence to self-management among people with chronic illness, and such benefits were conditional on the HLC of patients.

IMPACT

This study addresses the relationship between patient empowerment and self-management behaviour in patients with different personality characteristics. This result indicated that classifying the type of HLC may enable the identification of subgroups of patients who may subsequently benefit from patient empowerment. In a patient-centred programme, nurses and other healthcare professionals correctly identifying patients' HLC type and understanding the implications and then providing appropriate health care plans for patients with different health beliefs may be useful to tailor the decision-making process.

Elders health empowerment scale: Turkish translation and psychometric testing

PURPOSE

The aim of this study is to adapt "Elders Health Empowerment Scale" (EHES) to Turkish and to find out the validity and reliability of the scale. DESING AND METHODS: This methodological study was conducted with 300 patients who agreed to participate in the study in Turkey.

FINDINGS

It was found that Cronbach's α reliability coefficient of the scale was .90, item factor loads of the scale ranged between 0.30 and 0.89 and item-total correlation coefficients ranged between 0.30 and 0.84. The one-factor structure of the scale was supported as a result of the CFA and EFA conducted. Good fit index values were obtained as a result of CFA.

PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS

EHES is a valid and reliable measurement tool for the evaluation of the empowerment states of elders in Turkish society.

Effect of Empowerment Program with and without Telenursing on Self-efficacy and Glycosylated Hemoglobin Index of Patients with Type-2 Diabetes: A Randomized Clinical Trial

Introduction: Developing new training methods for improving the health of diabetic patients has always been a concern for nurses. The present study aims to investigate the effects of empowerment-based interventions with or without telenursing on self-efficacy and HbA1c level in diabetic patients.

Methods: In this randomized clinical trial, 156 patients with type-2 diabetes were randomly assigned into two intervention groups (empowerment with/without telenursing) and one control group. All subjects in the intervention groups participated in two sessions of the empowerment program. However, only the group of empowerment with telenursing received telephone counseling for 12 weeks. The patients in the control group did not receive any intervention programs. Self-efficacy was measured by diabetes-specific self-efficacy scale. The HbA1c level was measured using Bionic kit. Data were analyzed using SPSS Statistics for Windows, version 13.0 (SPSS Inc., Chicago, Ill., USA).

Results: After 14 weeks, while the changes in self-efficacy scores of the control group were not statistically significant, they were significant in the two intervention groups. Comparison of the two intervention groups showed that self-efficacy was higher in the group of empowerment with telenursing. It was only in the empowerment with telenursing group that the reduction of HbA1 c was significant.

Conclusion: Training based on empowerment models and emphasis on the strengths of clients in solving their own problems can play a major role in increasing self-efficacy and reduction of HbA1c level. In addition, a continuous training program, along with telephone follow-ups can result in higher self-efficacy and lower HbA1c level.

Effect of motivational interviewing intervention on HgbA1C and depression in people with type 2 diabetes mellitus (systematic review and meta-analysis)

Background

Many people living with diabetes are at risk for poor glycemic control, hyperlipidemia, hypertension, and macro vascular complications. Glycemic control and psychological wellbeing of the patient is mandatory for diabetes management. Addressing these issues in the early stages of the disease are the best interventions for decreasing poor glycemic control and psychological problems.

Objective

To explore and analyze the literature for evidence of the effect of Motivational Interviewing (MI) intervention has on glycosylated hemoglobin A1C (HgbA1C) and depression in people with Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM).

Methods

A systemic review and meta-analysis of studies published in Cochrane Library, Google scholar, PubMed, & clinical trials.gov between 01/01/2009 and 12/06/2020 was performed. Inclusion criteria included RCT and pre post studies that assessed the effects of Motivational Interviewing on Hgb.A1C and depression in adults with T2DM. Weighted mean differences with 95% confidence intervals were calculated for continuous data. The data were synthesized and analyzed in a narrative form in systematic review and meta-analysis which was conducted using RevMan 5.2.0 & STATA version 11 software. Data were evaluated by weighted mean differences (WMDs) and 95% CIs.

Result

Of the total identified 121 studies, eight were eligible for inclusion in the review. The pooled results showed that MI resulted in a significant improvement of mean HgbA1C level in the intervention group when compared with the control group (WMD, -0.29; 95% CI, -0.47 to -0.10; p = 0.003, I²= 48%). Effect of MI intervention on depressive symptoms was identified through subgroup analysis according to intervention session time (30 or 60–80 minutes) and Follow-up period (3 or 24 months) then result showed that there was no significant difference in the reduction of depressive symptoms between the intervention and control groups. The output results were (WMD, -1.58; 95% CI, -5.05 to -0.188; p = 0.37; I2 = 48%), (WMD, -4.30; 95% CI, -9.32 to -0.73; p = 0.09; I2 = 95%), (WMD, -4.45; 95% CI, -10.58 to 1.69; p = 0.16; I2 = 96%) and (WMD, -2.12; 95% CI, -5.54 to 1.30; p = 0.22; I2 = 83%) respectively.

Conclusion

The pooled result in meta-analysis indicated that motivational interviewing is effective in reducing HgbA1C but not depressive symptoms of patients with type 2 diabetes. Motivational interviewing intervention is important for diabetes management and effective in glycemic control with no effect on the reduction of depressive symptoms among persons with type 2 diabetes mellitus.

Systematic review registration number

CRD42019146368.

Making Decisions about Dietary Therapy in Inflammatory Bowel Disease

Treatment for inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) deserves an informed shared decision-making process between patient and doctor. IBD spans a spectrum of phenotypes that impact each patient uniquely. While treatment has primarily consisted of medical or surgical therapy, dietary approaches have become increasingly relevant. A majority of patients with IBD use some form of dietary modification, and it is common for patients to do this without their physicians’ knowledge. Lack of medical supervision can lead to nutritional deficiencies and a worsening disease state. Some patients work with their medical team to pursue a well-defined exclusion diet as a primary therapy, such as the specific carbohydrate diet, exclusive enteral nutrition, or the Crohn’s disease exclusion diet. The motivations to use dietary therapy for IBD remain unclear and the effectiveness has not been definitively established for many approaches. It is necessary for medical providers to be knowledgeable and to foster open communication with their patients in order to ensure the highest likelihood of remission. This review provides an overview of dietary treatment options, the current knowledge about patient motivations for pursuing dietary therapy, and the roles of patient empowerment and patient activation. We outline areas of improvement for the decision-making process.

Impact assessment of pharmacist-supervised intervention on health-related quality of life of newly diagnosed diabetics: A pre-post design

Introduction:

Diabetics face a series of challenges that affect all aspects of their daily life. Diabetes related complications adversely affect patient’s health-related quality of life (HRQoL). Knowledge and self-care skills of diabetics are corner stones to improve their HRQoL.

Objective:

To assess the impact of pharmacist-supervised intervention on HRQoL of newly diagnosed diabetics using an Audit of Diabetes-Dependent Quality of Life (ADDQoL) questionnaire.

Materials and Methods:

A pre-post comparison study was conducted among the control group (CG), test 1 group (T1G) and test 2 group (T2G) patients with three treatment arms to explore the impact of pharmacist-supervised intervention on HRQoL of newly diagnosed diabetics for 18 months. Patients’ HRQoL scores were determined using ADDQoL questionnaire at baseline, 3, 6, 9 and 12-months. T1G patients received pharmacist’s intervention whereas T2G patients received diabetic kit demonstration in addition to pharmacist’s intervention. CG patients were deprived of pharmacist intervention and diabetic kit demonstration, and only received care from attending physician/nurses. Non-parametric tests were used to find the differences in an average weighted impact scores (AWIS) among the groups before and after the intervention at P ≤ 0.05.

Results:

Friedman test identified significant (P < 0.001) improvement in AWIS among the test groups’ patients. Differences in scores were significant between T1G and T2G at 6-months (P = 0.033), 9-months (P < 0.001) and 12-months (P < 0.001); between CG and T1G at 12-months (P < 0.001) and between CG and T2G at 9-months (P < 0.001) and 12-months (P < 0.0010) on Mann.Whitney U test.

Conclusion:

Pharmacist’s intervention improved AWIS of test groups’ diabetics. Diabetic kit demonstration strengthened the disease understanding and selfcare skills of T2G patients. Disease and self-care awareness among diabetics should be increased in Nepali healthcare system by involving pharmacists for better patient’s related outcomes.

Phenylketonuric patients represent their disease

Background Phenylketonuria (PKU) is a metabolic disorder resulting in high phenylalanine (Phe) blood concentrations due to the deficiency of the hepatic enzyme Phe hydroxylase. High Phe levels are currently treated with diet, thus avoiding mental retardation, psychomotor delay, etc. The aim of this study was to find out the self-presentation of the disease by the patients. Methods A total number of 110 patients self-represented their disease: food allergy (Phe allergy) n = 34/110 (30.9%), health problems n = 31/110 (28.2%), severe health problems n = 26/110 (23.6%), very severe health problems n = 19/110 (17.3%). The Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children (WISC III) psychometric test was utilized for the evaluation of IQ scores of each participant. A special questionnaire was used focusing on quality of life (QL), social discrimination (SD) and anxiety or depression (AD). Results IQ scores were found to be higher in food allergy self-represented patients than those of the other tested groups. The lowest IQ scores were observed in those who represented very severe disease. QL, SD and AD were not observed in the food allergy groups. On the contrary, those who self-presented as very severe diseased patients felt high a disturbance of QL, SD and AD. Conclusions The food allergy group seemed to be a very clever excuse for adhering to PKU treatment resulting in high IQ scores and absence of the mentioned upsets. In contrast, in the other groups of patients' IQ scores were found to be lower than that of food allergy group. Damage of QL, SD, AD were also apparent.

Effectiveness of community organizing interventions on social activities among older residents in Japan: A JAGES quasi-experimental study

Social activities in the community help older adults maintain functional ability. Community organizing, based on the assessment of health risks, community assets, and fostering intersectoral organizational partnerships, could increase participation opportunities. Supporting municipality staff members in building their capacity to take those actions might benefit them. Nevertheless, the effectiveness of such support remains unclear. This real-world-setting study evaluated the effectiveness of providing support for municipality health sectors in relation to older residents’ social activities.

Based on the Japan Gerontological Evaluation Study (JAGES), a nationwide study of community-dwelling older adults, from 2013 to 2016 researchers collaborated with health sector staff members in 13 participating municipalities (intervention group) in utilizing the JAGES-based community assessment data and building organizational partnerships. The remaining 12 municipalities (control) obtained the data only. We analyzed the longitudinal data of 47,106 older residents, performing a difference-in-differences (DID) analysis, weighted by the inverse of propensity to be selected for the intervention group, allowing for a multilevel (municipality/individual) data structure.

In the intervention group, the estimated group participation prevalence in men increased by 10.4 percentage points from 47.5% to 57.9%, while in the control group, participation increased by 7.9 percentage points from 47.2% to 55.0% (DID estimated = 0.025, P = 0.011). No statistically significant difference between the two groups was observed among women (P = 0.131).

Support for community organizing may improve group participation among older male residents. The community-attributable impact could be large, given that the intervention has the potential to work for all older residents in the municipality.

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Older men participated more where researchers and health sector collaborated well.

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The effects were specifically strong for participation in leisure activity groups.

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Community organizing might encourage older men to engage in social activities.

Reduced HbA1c levels in type 2 diabetes patients: An interaction between a pedagogical format for students and psycho-educational intervention for patients

In this prospective study we compared Hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) levels in T2DM (Type 2 diabetes) patients who received psycho-educational intervention vs. usual care. Intervention was provided by pharmaceutics students, and accompanied by an academic course. We further examined the effect of the pedagogical format by which students were taught on HbA1c levels of the patients. The format of the academic course varied: the simultaneous format included theoretical, clinical, and practical themes taught within each lesson; whereas in the non-simultaneous format, theoretical themes were taught during the first several lessons, followed by practical skills taught in the following ones. T2DM patients (n = 171) were recruited through 10 primary care clinics. The inclusion criterion was patients with uncontrolled type 2 diabetes (HbA1c > 7%). Patients were randomly allocated to a training or control group. Pharmaceutics students (n = 85) in their fourth year participated in an academic course and were randomly allocated to a simultaneous vs. non-simultaneous pedagogical format. The interaction effect between intervention type and pedagogical format was significant. Only patients who participated in the training group consisting of students who participated in the simultaneous course format showed improvement on their HbA1c levels. Implications on patients' outcome and suggestions for future studies are discussed.

The effect of PKU diet on the maternal quality of life and social discrimination in relation to their educational status and place of living

Background Phenylketonuria (PKU) is an inherited metabolic disorder characterized by high levels of phenylalanine in the blood and brain, resulting in mental retardation, etc. Dietary treatment with low phenylalanine is the common treatment for this disease. Patients with other metabolic disorders, such as diabetes mellitus, were reported to have a higher percentage of quality-of-life damage (QLD) and social discriminations (SDs). Methods To evaluate the degree (%) of maternal QLD and SD in relation to their educational status and place of living during the participation of their PKU children in public events, 110 mothers of PKU children with an average age of 25.7 years took part in this study. We evaluated their QLD and SD according to their educational status (primary school, high school and university) and place of living (small town ≤300,000, city >300,000 inhabitants). A control group was not needed. Special questions (checklist) were created to evaluate the QLD and SD of the mothers of children under dietary control. Cronbach's α test was used for the measurement of the function of the items in the checklists. Results The covariance between the item pairs and the variance of the total score were calculated. Mothers who had completed primary school and lived in a city with a population >300,000 experienced the highest degree of QLD. In contrast, mothers with a university degree experienced the lowest SD. Overall, the highest SD was observed in mothers who lived in a small town. The affected group of mothers should be psychologically supported.

Patients requests and needs for culturally and individually adapted supportive care in type 2 diabetes patients: A comparative study between Nordic and non-Nordic patients in a social economical vulnerable area of Linköping, Sweden

AIMS

This study sought to determine and compare the metabolic control of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) in non-Nordic immigrants and native Nordics. The aim was also to describe and compare the request of supportive care between these two groups.

METHODS

One hundred and eighty-four patients (n=184) coming to a routine check-up in a primary healthcare setting (PHC), were consecutively enrolled to the study during a period of one year. Data on therapeutic interventions, clinical measurements, healthcare consumption, and adherence to standard diabetes healthcare program were extracted from the patientś medical record. Structured interviews on supportive care were conducted by diabetes trained nurses. If needed, a qualified interpreter was used. Comparisons were made between Nordic patients (n=151) and non-Nordic patients (n=33).

RESULTS

Among T2DM patients in a setting of PHC, there was a difference in meeting the metabolic target HbA1c, between native Nordics and non-Nordic immigrants. There was also a difference in request on supportive care. The non-Nordic group significantly requested more and different supportive care. They also attended the standard diabetes program to a lesser degree.

CONCLUSIONS

Culturally/individually adapted prevention is not only medically warranted but also requested by the patients themselves.

Comparative analysis of diabetes self-management education programs in the European Union Member States

Diabetes self-management education (DSME) is generally considered as an integral part of diabetes care. The availability of different types of self-management in the European Union Member States (EUMS) remains uncertain. The aim of this study is to perform a comparative analysis of existing DSME programs (DSMEP) implemented in EUMS. Unpublished data regarding DSME in the EUMS was assessed with Diabetes Literacy Survey using wiki tool (WT) targeting patients and different stakeholders. An additional literature review (LR) was performed in PubMed to identify published studies regarding DSMEP in the EUMS from 2004 to 2014. A total of 102 DSMEP implemented in EUMS were reported in the WT and 154 programs were identified from the LR. Comparative analysis of the data indicated that a majority of programs are aimed at adults and only a minority at children and elderly. Only a small percentage of the programs utilize information technology for teaching and learning, and only one out of five programs pay attention to depression. The identified DSMEP aimed primarily to empower patients through increasing knowledge and changing attitudes and beliefs towards diabetes. This study provides an overview of the present state-of-the-art on diabetes self-management education programs in the 28 EUMS. To increase participation, existing DSMEP should be made more accessible to the patients as well as tailored to specific patient groups.

Randomized controlled pilot of a group antenatal care model and the sociodemographic factors associated with pregnancy-related empowerment in sub-Saharan Africa

Background

The links between empowerment and a number of health-related outcomes in sub-Saharan Africa have been documented, but empowerment related to pregnancy is under-investigated. Antenatal care (ANC) is the entry point into the healthcare system for most women, so it is important to understand how ANC affects aspects of women’s sense of control over their pregnancy. We compare pregnancy-related empowerment for women randomly assigned to the standard of care versus CenteringPregnancy-based group ANC (intervention) in two sub-Saharan countries, Malawi and Tanzania.

Methods

Pregnant women in Malawi (n = 112) and Tanzania (n = 110) were recruited into a pilot study and randomized to individual ANC or group ANC. Retention at late pregnancy was 81% in Malawi and 95% in Tanzania. In both countries, individual ANC, termed focused antenatal care (FANC), is the standard of care. FANC recommends four ANC visits plus a 6-week post-birth visit and is implemented following the country's standard of care. In group ANC, each contact included self- and midwife-assessments in group space and 90 minutes of interactive health promotion. The number of contacts was the same for both study conditions. We measured pregnancy-related empowerment in late pregnancy using the Pregnancy-Related Empowerment Scale (PRES). Independent samples t-tests and multiple linear regressions were employed to assess whether group ANC led to higher PRES scores than individual ANC and to investigate other sociodemographic factors related to pregnancy-related empowerment.

Results

In Malawi, women in group ANC had higher PRES scores than those in individual ANC. Type of care was a significant predictor of PRES and explained 67% of the variation. This was not so in Tanzania; PRES scores were similar for both types of care. Predictive models including sociodemographic variables showed religion as a potential moderator of treatment effect in Tanzania. Muslim women in group ANC had a higher mean PRES score than those in individual ANC; a difference not observed among Christian women.

Conclusions

Group ANC empowers pregnant women in some contexts. More research is needed to identify the ways that models of ANC can affect pregnancy-related empowerment in addition to perinatal outcomes globally.

Electronic supplementary material

The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12884-017-1493-3) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Measurement invariance of the Short Wake Forest Physician Trust Scale and of the Health Empowerment Scale in German and French women

Measurement invariance is a crucial prerequisite to carry out cross-cultural research and to provide knowledge that enables culturally diverse patients to feel comfortable with their health providers. Although trust in doctors and health empowerment are widely studied, no previous research has examined their measurement invariance. The Short Wake Forest Physician Trust scale and the Health Empowerment scale were administered online. Participants were 217 German-speaking women (M = 39.07, standard deviation = 5.71) and 217 French-speaking women (M = 39.11, standard deviation = 5.82). Demonstration of partial scalar invariance was met and reasons for non-invariant items are discussed. The study was evaluated applying COnsensus-based Standards for the selection of health status Measurement INstruments checklist.

Identification of Patients With Diabetes Who Benefit Most From a Health Coaching Program in Chronic Disease Management, Sydney, Australia, 2013

Introduction

Chronic disease management programs (CDMPs) that include health coaching can facilitate and coordinate diabetes management. The aim of this study was to assess changes in patients’ general knowledge of diabetes, self-reported health status, diabetes distress, body mass index (BMI), and glycemic control after enrollment in a face-to-face CDMP group health coaching session (with telephone follow-up) compared with participation in telephone-only health coaching, during a 12-month period.

Methods

Patients with diabetes were enrolled in a health coaching program at Royal North Shore Hospital, Sydney, Australia, in 2013. Questionnaires were administered at baseline and at 3, 6, and 12 months, and the results were compared with baseline. Glycemic control, measured with glycated hemoglobin A_1c (HbA_1c) and BMI, were measured at baseline and 12 months.

Results

Overall, 238 patients attended a face-to-face CDMP session with telephone follow-up (n = 178) or participated in telephone-only health coaching (n = 60). We found no change in BMI in either group; however, HbA_1c levels in patients with baseline above the current recommended target (>7%) decreased significantly from 8.5% (standard deviation [SD], 1.0%) to 7.9% (SD, 1.0%) (P = .03). Patients with the lowest self-reported health status at baseline improved from 4.4 (SD, 0.5) to 3.7 (SD, 0.9) (P = .001). Diabetes knowledge improved in all patients (24.4 [SD, 2.4] to 25.2 [SD, 2.4]; P < .001), and diabetes distress decreased among those with the highest levels of distress at baseline (3.0 [SD, 0.4] vs 3.8 [SD, 0.6]; P = .003).

Conclusion

Diabetes health coaching programs can improve glycemic control and reduce diabetes distress in patients with high levels of these at baseline.

Problems Experienced by Patients Receiving Parenteral Nutrition at Home: Results of an Open Interview Study

BACKGROUND

Home parenteral nutrition (HPN) is offered to patients who are unable to absorb sufficient nourishment from normal oral food intake or tube feeding. Major causes include severe motility disorders and limited resorption surface in the small intestine. HPN is a lifesaving therapy but has severe consequences on daily life. The aim of this study was to make an inventory of the problems experienced by patients receiving HPN.

METHODS

Open interviews were held with 48 patients from the 2 major centers for HPN in the Netherlands, centered around the question: Which 3 HPN problems have the most severe impact on your daily life? Data were analyzed using content analysis.

RESULTS

The respondents mentioned 7 central problems: negative emotions, physical problems, social limitations, dependence on others, incapability, complications, and patient-care provider problems. In addition, practical problems were mentioned: sleeping problems, financial problems, and the "hospital atmosphere" at home. The latter issues formed less of a problem for the patients.

CONCLUSION

The main underlying elements in the lives of many HPN patients appeared to be loss, longing, and grief. In contrast, a smaller proportion of the patients expressed that they had clearly adapted to life with HPN. By means of the HPN, they were still alive and enjoying all the things they could still do.

Exploring perceived control and self-rated health in re-admissions among younger adults: A retrospective study

OBJECTIVE

Although health promotion calls for patient empowerment, it is not integrated in reducing re-admissions. This study examines the link among patient perceived control, self-rated health and fewer hospital re-admissions.

METHODS

An empirical explorative retrospective cross-sectional study with 208 respondents aged 40-65 with poor health and identical health plans. All measures hold good psychometric properties.

RESULTS

Self-rated health was strongly related to fewer re-admissions. Perceived control moderated the relationship between self-rated health and fewer re-admissions. Perceived control and self-rated health, together, contributed 5.2% to the variance in re-admissions.

CONCLUSION

Perceived control and perceived health status each explained a different share of the variance of re-admissions. Together, these perceptions reduced re-admissions by .40. Patient-clinician communication upon discharge may be a new direction to reduce re-admissions, improve delivery of care and promote health.

PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS

To reduce re-admissions, managements need to invest in restructuring the patient discharge process. A physician-patient dialogue shaping patient perceptions about their health status, perceived room for health improvement, and available internal and external resources may make a difference. Findings stress the need to allocate more time and resources for discharge communication processes and for physician training on psycho-social skills that may empower patients upon discharge.

Evaluation of empowerment model on indicators of metabolic control in patients with type 2 diabetes, a randomized clinical trial study

AIMS

Diabetes education is a major subject in achieving optimal glycemic control. Effective empowerment approach can be beneficial for improving patients' health. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of empowerment model on indicators of metabolic control in patients with type 2 diabetes.

METHODS

a randomized controlled trial of 103 patients with type 2 diabetes were randomly assigned to either the intervention (empowerment approach training) or the control group (conventional training) 2014. Empowerment approach training were performed for the experimental group for eight weeks. Data collection tool included demographic information form and indicators of metabolic control checklist. Analysis was performed by one-way analysis of variance, chi-square test, paired t-test, independent t-test and multiple linear regression.

RESULTS

Before the intervention, two groups were homogeneous in terms of demographic variables, glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1C), and other indicators of metabolic control. After the intervention, average HbA1C and other metabolic indicators except for LDL showed significant differences in the experimental group compared to the control group.

CONCLUSION

study results indicated the positive effects of applying the empowerment model on the metabolic control indicators. Therefore, applying this model is recommended to nurses and the relevant authorities in order to improve clinical outcomes in diabetic patients.

An expanded model of diabetes care based in an analysis and critique of current approaches

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES

To examine and critique various models guiding the care and education of people with diabetes, to develop more helpful and effective approaches to care. The focus is on relationships and communication between patients and healthcare providers.

BACKGROUND

Many patients are not adhering to the recommended treatments, hence it seems that effective diabetes care is difficult to achieve, particularly for patients of lower socio-economic status, who are disproportionately afflicted. The results are usually devastating, and lead to serious health complications that incisively diminish quality of life for patients with diabetes, frustrate healthcare providers and increase healthcare costs.

DESIGN

Critical review.

METHOD

This paper represents a critical review of various approaches to diabetes care and education. A CINAHL search with relevant key words was carried out and selected exemplary research studies and articles describing and/or evaluating the various approaches to diabetes care and management were examined. Particular attention was paid to how the paradigmatic underpinnings of these approaches construct patient - healthcare provider relationships.

CONCLUSION

The literature revealed that the traditional top-down approaches to care were largely ineffective, while collaborative approaches, based in respect and taking the whole persons and their unique situations into account, were found to be central to good care. Further, an integration of the different kinds of knowledge contained in the various approaches can complement and extend one another.

RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE

Avoiding devastating complications by improving the management of diabetes and overall quality of life of patients is a worthwhile goal. Therefore expanding diabetes care beyond the traditional bio-medical model to develop more effective approaches to care is of interest to all healthcare professionals working in this area.

Learning from marketing: Rapid development of medication messages that engage patients

OBJECTIVE

To adapt marketing approaches in a health services environment.

METHODS

Researchers and advertising professionals partnered in developing advertising-style messages designed to activate patients pre-identified as having chronic kidney disease to ask providers about recommended medications. We assessed feasibility of the development process by evaluating partnership structure, costs, and timeframe. We tested messages with patients and providers using preliminary surveys to refine initial messages and subsequent focus groups to identify the most persuasive ones.

RESULTS

The partnership achieved an efficient structure, $14,550 total costs, and 4-month timeframe. The advertising team developed 11 initial messages. The research team conducted surveys and focus groups with a total of 13 patients and 8 providers to identify three messages as most activating. Focus group themes suggested the general approach of using advertising-style messages was acceptable if it supported patient-provider relationships and had a credible evidence base. Individual messages were more motivating if they elicited personal identification with imagery, particular emotions, active patient role, and message clarity.

CONCLUSION

We demonstrated feasibility of a research-advertising partnership and acceptability and likely impact of advertising-style messages on patient medication-seeking behavior.

PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS

Healthcare systems may want to replicate our adaptation of marketing approaches to patients with chronic conditions.

Rethinking peer support for diabetes in Vancouver's South-Asian community: a feasibility study

AIM

To examine the feasibility and potential health impact of a diabetes self-management education and support intervention involving peer support on glycaemic control and diabetes distress.

METHODS

A total of 41 South-Asian adults with Type 2 diabetes were recruited for a 24-week diabetes self-management education and support pilot intervention involving peer support. The intervention consisted of six weekly education sessions co-facilitated by a certified diabetes educator and two peer leaders, followed by 18 weekly support sessions facilitated by two peer leaders. Education sessions were guided entirely by participants' self-management questions and also emphasized goal setting and action planning. Support sessions were based on empowerment principles and participants discussed self-management challenges, shared emotions, asked self-management questions, problem-solved in a group, set goals, and developed and evaluated action plans. Feasibility outcomes included recruitment and retention. Primary health-related outcomes included HbA1c levels and diabetes distress (measured at baseline, 6 and 24 weeks). Programme satisfaction was also assessed.

RESULTS

Pre-established criteria for recruitment and retention were met. Paired t-tests showed no changes in HbA1c and diabetes distress at 6 weeks. At 24 weeks, HbA1c levels deteriorated [54 mmol/mol (7.1%) vs 61 mmol/mol (7.7%)] while diabetes distress scores improved (2.0 vs 1.7).

CONCLUSIONS

Although feasible, findings suggest this peer-support model may have a positive impact on diabetes distress, but not on HbA1c levels. Culturally responsive modifications (e.g. intervention location) to the pilot model are needed and could lead to more favourable health outcomes for this community. Such a re-designed peer-support model will require further investigation.

Psychosocial interventions for the diabetic patient

Diabetes usually requires substantial life-long self-management by the patient. Psychological factors and the patient's health beliefs are important determinants of self-care behavior. Education has a modest influence on generating better self-care, but psychologically based interventions are clearly more effective. This review gives an overview of these interventions with some discussion of their basis in psychological theory. Some labels such as cognitive behavioral therapy and family therapy include a wide range of approaches. Randomized trials have generally produced improvement in measures of psychological well-being, but improved glycemic control has been more elusive. The influence on behavior can be very dependent on the individual therapist. Only a few trials have managed to sustain improvement in glycosylated hemoglobin beyond a year. Not all patients are prepared to engage and accept these forms of therapeutic intervention. We are still some way from moving psychological management from the trial situation into the diabetic clinic.

What determines health-related quality of life among people living with HIV: an updated review of the literature

BACKGROUND

As infection with the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) has evolved to a chronic disease, perceived health-related quality of life (HRQoL) is becoming a prominent and important patient-reported outcome measure in HIV care. Literature discusses different factors influencing HRQoL in this population, however, currently no consensus exists about the main determinants. In this review a clear, up-to-date overview of the determinants influencing HRQOL among people living with HIV is provided.

METHODS

All studies published before July 2013 that identified determinants of HRQoL among people living with HIV in high-income countries, were considered in this narrative review. PubMed, Web of Science and The Cochrane Library were consulted using the keywords 'determinants', 'quality of life', 'HIV' and 'AIDS'. To be included, studies should have reported overall health and/or physical/mental health scores on a validated instrument and performed multivariable regression analyses to identify determinants that independently influence perceived HRQoL.

RESULTS

In total, 49 studies were included for further analysis and they used a variety of HRQoL instruments: Medical Outcomes Study Short Form-36 or variants, Medical Outcomes Study-HIV, HIV Cost and Services Utilization Study measure, Multidimensional Quality of Life Questionnaire, HIV targeted quality of life instrument, Functional Assessment of Human Immunodeficiency Virus Infection, HIV Overview of Problems Evaluation System, EuroQol, Fanning Quality of Life scale, Health Index and PROQOL-HIV. In this review, the discussed determinants were thematically divided into socio-demographic, clinical, psychological and behavioural factors. Employment, immunological status, presence of symptoms, depression, social support and adherence to antiretroviral therapy were most frequently and consistently reported to be associated with HRQoL among people living with HIV.

CONCLUSIONS

HRQoL among people living with HIV is influenced by several determinants. These determinants independently, but simultaneously impact perceived HRQoL. Most HRQoL instruments do not capture all key determinants. We recommend that the choice for an instrument should depend on the purpose of the HRQoL assessment.

Cluster randomised controlled trial: educational self-care intervention with older Taiwanese patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus--impact on blood glucose levels and diabetic complications

AIMS

To investigate whether self care behaviours, medical outcomes and quality of life of Taiwanese elderly with Type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM) can be improved by delivery of an educational health care package.

BACKGROUND

DM is a major health problem in developed and developing countries, with older adults constituting about half of the diabetic population. Type 2 DM is the most rapidly increasing chronic disease in Taiwan.

METHODS

During 2005 and 2006, Taiwanese elderly with Type 2 DM (n = 500) were randomly allocated to either an intervention or control group. Data collection using validated instruments occurred at baseline and 6 months follow-up. Main outcome measures were blood glucose levels and diabetic complications.

RESULTS

At baseline, 88.4% participants in the control and 78.8% in the experimental group had a blood glucose level above normal range (p = 0.076); respective results at 6 months were 92.4% for the control group and 60.4% for the experimental group (p < 0.001). The multivariate adjusted result showed that the intervention group was 11.1 times less likely to have blood glucose levels above normal (p = 0.002) at 6 months follow-up compared to the control group. Occurrence of complications was significantly fewer in the intervention group at baseline and at 6 month follow-up compared to the control group (baseline: 42.0% versus 82.1%, p = 0.003; 6 month follow-up: 48.4% versus 87.0%; p = 0.006).

CONCLUSION

Although overall occurrence of complications remained unchanged, the educational health care package specifically developed for Taiwanese elderly with Type 2 DM improved blood glucose levels.

Diabetes self-management education: miles to go

This meta-analysis assessed how successfully Diabetes Self-Management Education (DSME) interventions help people with type 2 diabetes achieve and maintain healthy blood glucose levels. We included 52 DSME programs with 9,631 participants that reported post-intervention A1c levels in randomized controlled trials. The training conditions resulted in significant reductions in A1c levels compared to control conditions. However, the impact of intervention was modest shifting of only 7.23% more participants from diabetic to pre-diabetic or normal status, relative to the control condition. Most intervention participants did not achieve healthy A1c levels. Further, few DSME studies assessed long-term maintenance of A1c gains. Past trends suggest that gains are difficult to sustain over time. Our results suggested that interventions delivered by nurses were more successful than those delivered by non-nursing personnel. We suggest that DSME programs might do better by going beyond procedural interventions. Most DSME programs relied heavily on rules and procedures to guide decisions about diet, exercise, and weight loss. Future DSME may need to include cognitive self-monitoring, diagnosis, and planning skills to help patients detect anomalies, identify possible causes, generate corrective action, and avoid future barriers to maintaining healthy A1c levels. Finally, comprehensive descriptions of DSME programs would advance future efforts.

Promoting patient empowerment in the healthcare system: highlighting the need for patient-centered drug policy

In recent years the term 'patient empowerment' has increasingly been used among healthcare policy makers; however, discussions have focused on narrow activities that as stand-alone activities would be unlikely to give patients power. This paper presents findings from a systematic review of the medical literature. After offering a new definition of patient empowerment, we review the literature behind the concept, aided by a conceptual model. The model is derived from our review of all papers published in medicine (Medline) between 1980 and 2005, and is focused around issues related to the antecedents, activities and outcomes of patient empowerment, especially as they relate to researchers who may need to formulate or evaluate public policies aimed at the issue. We strive to stimulate more discussion of the linkages between public policy and patient empowerment, identifying a need to take a holistic approach, especially when policies are aimed at empowering patients in the area of personal drug management.

"MY PKU": increasing self-management in patients with phenylketonuria. A randomized controlled trial

Background

Phenylketonuria (PKU) is an autosomal recessive disorder of phenylalanine metabolism. The inability to convert phenylalanine (Phe) into tyrosine causes Phe to accumulate in the body. Adherence to a protein restricted diet, resulting in reduced Phe levels, is essential to prevent cognitive decline. Frequent evaluation of plasma Phe levels and, if necessary, adjustment of the diet are the mainstay of treatment. We aimed to assess whether increased self-management of PKU patients and/or their parents is feasible and safe, by providing direct online access to blood Phe values without immediate professional guidance.

Methods

Thirty-eight patients aged ≥ 1 year participated in a 10 month randomized controlled trial. Patients were randomized into a study group (1) or a control group (2). Group 2 continued the usual procedure: a phone call or e-mail by a dietician in case of a deviant Phe value. Group 1 was given a personal "My PKU" web page with a graph of their recent and previous Phe values, online general information about the dietary treatment and the Dutch PKU follow-up guidelines, and a message-box to contact their dietician if necessary. Phe values were provided on "My PKU" without advice. Outcome measures were: differences in mean Phe value, percentage of values above the recommended range and Phe sample frequency, between a 10-month pre-study period and the study period in each group, and between the groups in both periods. Furthermore we assessed satisfaction of patients and/or parents with the 'My PKU' procedure of online availability.

Results

There were no significant differences in mean Phe value, percentage of values above recommended range or in frequency of blood spot sampling for Phe determination between the pre-study period and the study period in each group, nor between the 2 groups during the periods. All patients and/or parents expressed a high level of satisfaction with the new way of disease management.

Conclusions

Increased self-management in PKU by providing patients and/or parents their Phe values without advice is feasible and safe and is highly appreciated.

Trial registration

The trial was registered with The Netherlands National Trial Register (NTR #1171) before recruitment of patients.

A path model of health-related quality of life in type 2 diabetic patients: a cross-sectional study in Taiwan

AIMS

To construct a path model about relationships of perceptions of empowerment, diabetes distress, self-care behaviour and glycemic control to health-related quality of life in Taiwanese Type 2 diabetic patients, suffering from diabetes for 10 years or less.

BACKGROUND

Health-related quality of life is the primary end point for people with diabetes. Understanding the path model of health-related quality of life in Type 2 diabetic patients is useful for nurses to design early intervention programmes.

METHODS

This was a cross-sectional study. An anonymous questionnaire was used to collect data from 2007 to 2008. Glycosylated haemoglobin (HbA1c) was also collected. Data from 428 Type 2 diabetic patients were analysed with structural equation modelling to test the fit of the hypothesized path model to the data.

RESULTS

A model was produced in which self-care behaviour had a statistically significantly direct influence on satisfaction, impact and worry aspects of health-related quality of life. Glycosylated haemoglobin had a statistically significantly negative influence on satisfaction, and impact aspects of health-related quality of life. Perceptions of empowerment had a statistically significantly direct influence on satisfaction aspect of health-related quality of life. Diabetes distress had a statistically significantly direct influence on satisfaction, impact and worry aspects of health-related quality of life.

CONCLUSIONS

Nurses should develop new approaches to improve various aspects of health-related quality of life. Nurses could empower patients to improve satisfaction aspect of health-related quality of life. To improve the impact and worry aspects of health-related quality of life, nurses should reduce diabetes distress felt by patients.

Effectiveness of applying empowerment strategies when establishing a support group for parents of preterm infants

AIMS

The objectives of this study were to apply empowerment strategies to the establishing of a support group for parents of preterm infants who were recently discharged home and to examine its effectiveness in terms of self-efficacy, perceived stress and depression among the parents.

BACKGROUND

While the concept of empowerment has been applied when establishing various patient support groups, it has not been explicitly used for parents of preterm infants.

DESIGN

This study applied a quasi-experimental design.

METHOD

The inclusion criteria were parents of infants with a birth gestational age of <37 weeks who were expected to be discharged home within one week. A total of 70 parents of preterm infants participated in this study, made up of 35 participants each in the intervention and in the control groups. The intervention group received three months of support applying empowerment strategies, while the control group received usual care only.

RESULTS

The results, relative to the control group at post-test, demonstrated that the intervention group showed significantly higher scores for self-efficacy when using resources as well as significantly decreased scores for depression. For parents of preterm infants with a very low birth weight, the intervention group showed a significant decrease in perceived stress relative to controls, but this was not seen in parents of preterm infants without very low birth weight. There was no significant difference in the scores for self-efficacy when performing parental roles.

CONCLUSIONS

his study demonstrated the effectiveness of support groups for parents of preterm infants that apply empowerment strategies, which decreased parental depressive symptomatology and increased parental self-efficacy when utilising resources. The intervention also effectively decreased the perceived stress level in parents of infants with very low birth weight.

RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE

Health professionals should apply empowerment strategies when establishing parental support groups for preterm infants.

Empowerment Interventions for Older Adults

There has been much discussion regarding the need to empower older adults to make informed health decisions and to test interventions targeting empowerment to promote health among older adults. It has been suggested that an empowerment approach may nurture an older adult’s participation in health care decisions and promote positive health outcomes. The purpose of this article is to report the findings of a critical review of published empowerment intervention studies with community-dwelling older adults. A descriptive literature review was conducted to examine how empowerment is conceptualized across interventions, the guiding theoretical frameworks, the outcomes measured, as well as the health outcomes of these interventions. Based on the findings from this review, recommendations for future empowerment intervention research with older adults as well as implications for practice are proposed.

Self-management support in "real-world" settings: an empowerment-based intervention

OBJECTIVE

This study examined the impact of a 6-month, empowerment-based diabetes self-management support (DSMS) intervention on clinical outcomes, self-care behaviors, and quality of life (QOL) compared to a 6-month control period.

METHODS

This control-intervention cohort study recruited 77 African-American adults with type 2 diabetes. Baseline, 6-month, and 12-month assessments measured A1C, weight, body mass index (BMI), blood pressure, lipids, self-care behaviors, and QOL. During the control period, participants received weekly educational newsletters. During the intervention period, participants attended weekly DSMS groups as frequently as they needed. Sessions were guided by participants' self-management questions and concerns, and also emphasized experiential learning, coping, problem-solving, and goal-setting.

RESULTS

The control period found significant improvements for diastolic BP (p<0.05), serum cholesterol (p<0.001), following a healthy diet (p<0.01), and monitoring blood glucose (p<0.01). The intervention period found significant additional improvements for A1C (p<0.001), weight (p<0.05), BMI (p<0.05), and LDL (p<0.001). Compared to the control period, participation in the intervention led to a significant reduction in A1C (p<0.01).

CONCLUSION

Findings suggest that an empowerment-based, DSMS intervention is promising for improving and/or maintaining diabetes-related health, particularly A1C.

PRACTICAL IMPLICATIONS

Incorporating empowerment principles in DSMS interventions may be useful for supporting patients' self-management efforts in "real-world" settings.

The role of patient activation on patient-provider communication and quality of care for US and foreign born Latino patients

BACKGROUND

Previous research has shown positive effects of patient activation on healthcare outcomes, but there is practically no information on the generalization of these findings for Latino patients. Little data are available on whether patient activation is associated with healthcare outcomes for Latino patients and whether activation varies by language proficiency and nativity status.

OBJECTIVE

We examined the levels of activation by characteristics of Latino patients (e.g. nativity, language, health status). We investigated whether patient activation relates to the quality of care received and enhanced doctor-patient communication for Latino patients.

DESIGN

We conducted analyses of 1,067 US born and foreign born Latinos who participated in the second wave of the PEW/RWJF Hispanic Healthcare Survey during 2008.

PARTICIPANTS

Participants were self-identified Latinos (18+) with a doctor visit, living in the contiguous United States who could be contacted by telephone.

RESULTS

US born Latinos had significantly (P < 0.001) greater patient activation scores than foreign born Latinos (75 versus 70). Latinos classified as bilingual and those reporting excellent health evidenced higher mean activation scores as compared to Spanish-speaking Latinos and those reporting fair or poor health. After adjusting for demographics, health status, other language and service use factors, patient activation was strongly associated with self-reported quality of care and better doctor-patient communication among both US and foreign born Latino respondents.

CONCLUSIONS

Interventions that augment patient activation could increase quality of care and improved patient-provider communication, potentially reducing health care disparities for Latinos.