Abstract
ObjectivesThe current study aims to examine the construct of empowerment in the context of a transition education program. Patient education programs strive to empower adolescents with chronic conditions to take responsibility for their own health care to manage their transition from pediatric to adult medicine. Our study aimed to identify the core components of patient empowerment and examined whether its components are responsive to a patient education program.MethodsData was collected in two longitudinal studies involving N = 723 adolescents with chronic conditions. We used Latent Difference Score models (LDSm) of: 1) self-efficacy (GSE), 2) transition competence (TCS), and 3) patient activation (PAM) to quantify the latent variable of patient empowerment (PE). Additionally, the LDSm were extended to analyze the effects of group affiliation (intervention vs. control) and participants’ age on empowerment.ResultsPE was identifiable by the three components. The intervention group developed significantly higher scores of PE compared to the control group. Age (13–21 years) did not moderate the relation between group affiliation and PE.ConclusionsWe quantified PE successfully using a psychometric modeling of change. Patient empowerment is measureable and utilizable in the specific context of transition of adolescents with chronic conditions.
Highlights
Transition is defined as the purposeful, planned movement from pediatric to adult medicine, which includes the process of taking responsibility for the management of one’s own chronic condition
The aim of the current study is to show the enhancement of patient empowerment through a patient education program with a comprehensive approach, and to investigate an operationalization based on Zimmerman’s model of empowerment in the context of patient education programs [14]
We aimed to show the enhancement of patient empowerment through the participation in a patient education program strengthening the preparedness of young people to be responsible for and self-manage their condition
Summary
Transition is defined as the purposeful, planned movement from pediatric to adult medicine, which includes the process of taking responsibility for the management of one’s own chronic condition. Patient education programs have proved to be effective in supporting adolescents with chronic conditions who are managing their own transition [3,4]. It is, still unclear at which age an adolescent should be included in an education program to positively influence the individuals’ development and to enable a successful transition. In a systematic review of the research on transition, the optimal age range of transfer in 14 of the 15 papers was 18–19 years [6]. The literature reports different findings on delaying the transfer to an older age. The optimal age of transition is still debated and requires further investigation in transition research
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
