Willingness to engage in self-care impacts clinical outcomes at discharge in hospitalized pneumonia patients: a descriptive study

Abstract

Background The objective of this study was to evaluate the association between willingness to engage in self-care and clinical outcomes in patients hospitalized with community-acquired pneumonia (CAP).

Methods An observational study in patients hospitalized with CAP was conducted. Patients were divided into two groups according to the willingness to engage in self-care, which was assessed with the Patient Activation Measure (PAM). Participants with scores ≤47.0 points were included in the unwillingness to engage in self-care group, and patients with PAM score >47 points were included in the willingness to engage in self-care group. Main variables were assessed at hospital discharge and included clinical symptoms (cough, dyspnea, pain, and fatigue), physical status, activity levels, psychological inflexibility and restrictions in daily life activities and social participation.

Results A total of 66 patients were included in the study (34 among the patients unwilling to engage and 32 among the patients willing to engage). Significant differences were found in clinical symptoms, psychological inflexibility, and restrictions in daily life activities and social participation in favor of patients’ willingness to engage in self-care at hospital discharge.

Conclusions Patients with CAP willing to engage in self-care showed improvements in clinical symptoms, psychological flexibility, and fewer limitations in daily activities and social participation at discharge.