Psychometric Properties of the Patient Activation Measure in Family Caregivers of Patients With Chronic Illnesses.

Background: The Patient Activation Measure (PAM) is used clinically and in research to measure an individual's knowledge, skills, and confidence related to their health management engagement. Despite the use of "patient" in the title, the instrument can be used in nonpatient populations. A group at high risk for low activation concerning their own health is family caregivers of patients with chronic illnesses.

Living with depressive symptoms: patients with heart failure.

Background: Patients with heart failure often experience depressive symptoms that affect health-related quality of life, morbidity, and mortality. Researchers have not described the experience of patients with heart failure living with depressive symptoms. Understanding this experience will help in developing interventions to decrease depressive symptoms.

Characteristics and treatment of patients with heart failure in the emergency department.

Introduction: This study was conducted to develop a detailed profile of patients who come to the emergency department for heart failure treatment.

Methods: Patient interviews were supplemented by medical record reviews in a convenience sample of 57 participants. A structured interview guide included data concerning patient characteristics and ED treatment.