Locality Links C.I.C.

Patient Activation is relevant to any condition that requires the patient to play an important role.

More activated patients are more likely to seek out information and try more strategies for managing symptoms, take more preventative actions, and be more vigilant about following drug regimens. Acquiring the attributes of self-management is a gradual process that involves the attainment of knowledge and problem-solving skills that enable individuals to confidently engage in decision-making and actions aimed at managing their chronic health condition more effectively.

Helping People to Raise their PAM

Locality Links uses the Patient Activation Measure, or PAM, to work with patients in their local community to focus on the skills needed to better identify and use health resources for ongoing self-management of health habits and chronic conditions. We do this by:

• • Starting where the patient is
• • Encouraging realistic steps – creating opportunities to experience success
• • Building on strengths
• • Attending to emotions
• • Measuring progress

The Patient Activation Measure has been identified as a tool to help both measure the impact of interventions but also to identify what interventions will have the best impact in improving a patient or carers self-management.