BackgroundThis respiratory service improvement project explored the relationship between patient activation and outcome in pulmonary rehabilitation.Method: Activation was assessed using the Patient Activation Measure (PAM), as part of pre– and post–assessment questionnaires. Measures of depression (PHQ–9) and anxiety (GAD–7) routinely given were also included. Baseline scores for those that completed pulmonary rehabilitation were compared with those that did not.FindingsResults showed a significant difference in pre– and post–assessment PAM scores for patients completing (p<0.001). However, there were no significant differences between those completing and those who did not. Significant differences were found for pre– and post–assessment scores for depression (p<0.001) and anxiety (p<0.05), and those not completing were significantly more depressed (p<0.005) and anxious (p<0.05) than those completing the programme.DiscussionThis project, therefore, found that completion of pulmonary rehabilitation can improve outcomes for patient activation, depression and anxiety. The PAM was not able to predict whether a patient will complete pulmonary rehabilitation, but currently used measures for depression and anxiety were. Further research is needed to understand the mechanisms of action, but this project could help inform the development of targeted psychological interventions to support respiratory patients.