Do elderly patients feel more enabled if they had been actively involved in primary care consultations?

This study aimed to determine whether older patients' enablement was associated with their evaluation of the level of their involvement in primary care consultations.

Secondary analysis of data from an international cross-sectional study in seven European countries (n=625 patients). Patient enablement, preference for involvement in the consultation and evaluation of involvement in the consultation were measured with validated questionnaires. Random coefficient linear modelling was used to identify factors associated with patient enablement.

The overall mean patient enablement score was 5.5 (theoretical range: 0-12; higher score indicated more enablement). Enablement was higher in patients who reported more positive compared to those reporting less positive evaluations of involvement (B=1.660; p<0.001). The impact of evaluation on enablement was higher in patients with a high preference for involvement compared to those with lower preference for involvement (B=0.743; p=0.015).

Positive evaluations of involvement in primary care were associated with higher enablement in older patients, and even more if the patient had a high preference for involvement.

Involving older patients actively may enhance their enablement, a particularly important goal for patients who have one or more chronic conditions.