Enhancing autonomy and self-management behaviors through a patient-centered communication program for older adults with hypertension: A randomized controlled trial

Abstract

Autonomy and self-management behaviors are crucial for people living with any chronic disease and need to be enhanced. This randomized control trial tested the effectiveness of the Patient-centered Communication Program for improving autonomy and self-management behaviors among Thai older adults with hypertension. Sixty participants receiving care at a medical out-patient department in a university hospital in Northern Thailand were randomly assigned equally using the permuted block design into an experiment group (n = 30) who received the program and a control group (n = 30) who received only the regular communication care. Data were collected before, immediately after, and three months after the program using the Maastricht Personal Autonomy Questionnaire, and Self-Management Behaviors Questionnaire. Data were analyzed using one-way and two-way repeated measures ANOVA and independent sample t-test. The findings revealed that the autonomy and self-management behaviors of participants in the experimental group immediately post-intervention and 3 months after were significantly higher than the control group after the intervention. It can be concluded that this patient-centered communication program was beneficial for older adults with hypertension. Although the program needs further testing and possible refinement, it has potential for nurses and other health professionals to implement this program to encourage older adults with hypertension to take an active role in their care and continuously help themselves to control their hypertension.