Subjective dimensions of patient competence: relationships with selected healthcare usage behaviors and general features of self-rated competence.

OBJECTIVE

To introduce the concept of patient competence and provide additional information on the concurrent validity of a new self-rating measure of patient competence in the context of cancer employing healthcare usage behaviors and more general self-rated features of patient competence as criteria.

METHODS

Based on a multi-center sample of n=536 patients with cancer, bivariate correlations and multiple regressions were computed.

RESULTS

The competence subscale of striving for autonomous decisions emerged as significant, albeit weak predictor of having used professional psycho-social support (r=.31, beta=.28) and employing other complementary medicines (r=.28; B=.65) in relation to one's cancer. Problem-focused and emotion-focused competencies relate differently to different general features of self-rated competence like feeling informed and assertive or adapting well.

CONCLUSION

Additional support for the concurrent validity of the new self-rating measure of patient competence in the context of cancer has been found. Viewed in perspective, this measure may therefore provide a methodological basis to examine determinants and health effects of patient competence empirically. Nevertheless, further research on the conceptualization and measurement of patient competence appears necessary.

PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS: Having available measures of patients' specific competencies in the context of cancer will help identify their strength and weaknesses in dealing with life-threatening disease and enhance their coping resources.