Cancer patients often require specialized support to manage their health effectively. Tools like the Patient Activation Measure (PAM-13) are crucial in assessing their ability to handle self-healthcare. However, the tool’s effectiveness may vary significantly across different patient demographics and conditions, necessitating a closer examination of its validity and adaptability.
Study Overview and Methodology
A longitudinal non-randomized controlled study involving 1,125 cancer out-patients from Comprehensive Cancer Centres in Southern Germany was conducted to analyze the German version of the PAM-13. Using both classical test and item response theory methods, researchers evaluated data quality, reliability, and convergent and structural validity. The study employed exploratory (EFA) and confirmatory factor analyses (CFA) to explore the proposed unidimensionality of the construct. Additionally, the partial credit model (PCM) was used to examine item fit, targeting, local independence, and differential item functioning.
Participants in the study were primarily female (73%) with a breast cancer diagnosis (41.3%). The data revealed that while the items were generally well-accepted, ceiling effects were observed, and the mean PAM-13 score was high (69.7, SD = 14.2), potentially affecting the tool’s responsiveness to interventions. The reliability of the instrument was found to be adequate with a Cronbach’s alpha of 0.81. Person and item separation reliability were rated from good to excellent (0.81 and 0.99, respectively).
Key Findings and Implications
The study yielded mixed results regarding the unidimensionality of the PAM-13, suggesting a possible two-factor solution for the construct. Item difficulty rankings showed deviations from the original scale, although no differential item functioning was identified, and local independence was confirmed. These findings indicate that while the PAM-13 remains a valuable tool for assessing health-related skills in cancer patients, its effectiveness might be influenced by specific characteristics of the patient population.
Concrete Inferences for Application
- Ceiling effects in PAM-13 scores suggest limited sensitivity to detecting changes post-intervention in high-scoring individuals.
- A potential two-factor structure may better capture the diverse experiences and needs of oncology patients compared to a unidimensional model.
- Adjustments or additional items in the PAM-13 could enhance its applicability across varied cultural and disease-specific contexts.
These results contribute to the growing body of evidence highlighting the importance of tailoring patient engagement strategies to the unique characteristics of the target population. The study underscores the need for future research to focus on refining the PAM-13 to better address the specific health-related challenges faced by diverse patient groups in oncology.
Original Article: Health Qual Life Outcomes. 2024 May 20;22(1):39. doi: 10.1186/s12955-024-02255-w.

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