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Abstract
Introduction The study assesses chronic patients in the Canary Islands through the 20-item Patient Assessment of Chronic Illness Care (PACIC) questionnaire. This tool evaluates patient perceptions of care alignment with the Chronic Care Model. We compared the obtained scores against a meta-analytic mean (μ=3)1 and explored variations according to sociodemographic factors and diabetes status.
Methods We conducted a longitudinal observational study; this study focuses on the baseline results. Recruitment involved convenience sampling by medical staff. Patients completed the 26-item PACIC questionnaire. However, our analysis focused on the more prevalent 20-item version, using a 5-point Likert scale. The primary measure was the average of the first 20 items’ scores.
Results The study engaged 643 chronic illness patients from the Canary Islands, Spain, predominantly those with type 2 diabetes (77.4%, 498 patients). The cohort’s average age was 64.3±11.8 years, with an average disease duration of 11.8±10.8 years, 52.6% being male and only 26.1% possessing secondary or higher education.
The mean PACIC-20 score was 2.53±0.76 (95% CI: 2.47–2.59, p<.001 against μ=3). No significant differences were found based on sex (p=.11), education level (p=.37), or employment status (p=.33). Similarly, diabetes status did not yield significant score variations (p=.64). Age showed a weak inverse correlation with PACIC-20 scores (rxy= -.15; p<.001) and individuals living alone reported lower scores (M= 2.4±0.7) compared to those cohabiting (M= 2.6±0.8, p=.025).
Discussion Patients with chronic illnesses in the Canary Islands exhibited lower PACIC-20 scores than those in similar studies, with minimal influence from gender, education, or employment. Slight associations were found with age and living conditions.
Conclusions The perception of inadequate alignment with the Chronic Care Model in the Canary Islands warrants further investigation
Reference
Arditi C, Iglesias K, Peytremann-Bridevaux I. The use of the Patient Assessment of Chronic Illness Care (PACIC) instrument in diabetes care: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Int J Qual Health Care. 2018;30(10):743–750.