Anne-Linda Camerini|Peter Schulz
Health Literacy and Patient Empowerment: Separating Con-joined Twins in the Context of Chronic Low Back Pain
Università della Svizzera italiana|Università della Svizzera italiana
health literacy widely considered key patient empowerment alternative approach separates concepts distinguishes different types patients according levels health literacy empowerment types deemed vary healthrelated actions outcomes study examine relationship health literacy patient empowerment compare sociodemographic characteristics healthrelated activities health outcomes four types patients suffering chronic low back pain clbpin crosssectional study 273 clbp patients four swiss cantons vaud geneva fribourg ticino lombardy italy invited healthcare providers complete selfadministered paperandpencil questionnaire assessed patients health literacy empowerment involvement medical encounter medication nonadherence perceived pain functionality measure health outcomeshealth literacy patient empowerment significantly correlated r271 09 p 05 allowing differentiate four types patients based levels health literacy patient empowerment subsequent chisquare tests analyses variances revealed significant differences among patients could however attributed health literacy case age educational attainment patient empowerment case patients involvement medical encounter significant differences evident gender medication nonadherence health outcomesthe study provides empirical evidence need consider health literacy patient empowerment independent concepts context clbp calls studies able conclude two concepts interact determine healthrelated activities outcomes