Development and validation of a broadly applicable instrument to measure patients' health promotion and empowerment process in chronic disease.

ObjectivesThis study aimed to develop and validate a generic, non-disease-specific, self-assessment measure that recognizes patients' health capacities and their empowering process of health promotion in chronic illness by using Bodyknowledging as the theoretical frame.MethodsItem generation and expert content validity analysis were the first steps in instrument development. Potential items were then validated in focus group interviews with six patients diagnosed with various chronic diseases. The research team reviewed the resulting items and undertook item reduction. A sample of adults (n = 357) with chronic disease surveyed the instrument items. Exploratory factor analysis with Oblimin rotation was conducted.ResultsA 3-factor solution was identified: nine items on the subscale, seven items on the subscale, and eight items on the subscale. Cronbach alpha for the scale was .92. The final 24-item instrument is non-disease-specific and broadly applicable for use in health promotion within the context of chronic disease. The instrument demonstrates high internal consistency reliability with initial face and construct validity.DiscussionThe new instrument has the potential for measuring patients' empowering process of health promotion in chronic disease and the outcomes of person-centered interventions and may guide clinicians in tailoring individual support.