Application of the PAPERS Grading Criteria Within a Rapid Evidence Review to Determine the Psychometric and Pragmatic Properties of Patient Empowerment Tools

Self-management of long-term conditions requires health professionals to understand and develop capabilities that empower the population they serve. A rapid evidence review was undertaken to assess the current evidence based on the psychometric properties of patient empowerment tools. MEDLINE was searched, and data were extracted for each publication and scored using a modified Psychometric and Pragmatic Evidence Rating Scale (PAPERS) evidence rating scale. The results were grouped into the following domains: (a) health literacy; (b) patient activation; (c) long-term conditions; (d) self-management needs and behaviors. A full-text review of 65 publications led to the inclusion of 29 primary studies. The highest scoring tools were selected with respect to performance for each domain: (a) Newest Vital Sign and the Brief Health Literacy Screen; (b) Consumer Health Activation Index and PAM-13; (c) LTCQ and LTCQ8; and (d) SEMCD and Patient Enablement Instrument. PAPERS was a useful tool in determining the generalizability, validity, and reliability of these patient empowerment tools. However, further research is required to establish whether an individual's health literacy status influences patient empowerment tool outcomes.