Harper Sercombe
Epping’s Northern Health oncology department has implemented a new assessment tool to measure patients activation levels to help clinicians provide more specialised care.
The patient activation measure (PAM) is a questionnaire tool used to assess the patients knowledge, skill and confidence in managing their own healthcare.
Patients are asked to complete a short 10-question survey before an initial visit to a clinic, and then again, every three months. Which determines their activation level.
Patient activation can be increased by providing opportunities and support to develop general health knowledge and specific condition knowledge like cancer.
Clinicians can align resources and tailor support depending on a patient’s level of activation. Higher activation levels equate to patients with healthy behaviours, overall better outcomes, and fewer episodes of unplanned emergency care.
Director of clinical leadership, effectiveness and outcomes (CLEO) Tracey Webster said that this was a “light bulb” moment for her.
“I can now really understand why some patients find it difficult to engage with managing their long-term conditions or may not show interest in their condition,” she said.
“Clinicians can now tailor what they are teaching patients or discussing about their condition, and it can be more meaningful for the patient.
“This will assist patients to improve their health-related behaviours, and result in better outcomes, better experiences of care.”
Despite it being early in the roll out of PAM, clinicians are already seeing the positive impacts it is having on their patients.
