Blue Shield of California Foundation has released “Empowerment and Engagement Among Low-Income Californians: Enhancing Patient-Centered Care,” a detailed report by Langer Research Associates on attitudes toward health care delivery among poor and near-poor residents of the state. Extending findings reported earlier this summer on patient connectedness and continuity, the new study explores the central role of information and communication in achieving the goals of patient-centered care, presenting a unique, data-driven model of patient engagement, with implications for policy and practice.

Based on a statewide, random-sample survey of 1,024 low-income Californians age 19 to 64, the survey finds that well-informed patients are much more likely than others to be confident about taking an active role in their care decisions, to feel comfortable asking questions of their care providers and to report that they understand their providers’ explanations. These elements – information, confidence, comfort asking questions and comprehension – are informed by the level of connectedness and continuity patients have with their care facility, and in turn predict patients’ engagement in healthcare decisions.

The report extends research initiated by BSCF in summer 2011 with its publication of “On the Cusp of Change: The Healthcare Preferences of Low-Income Californians,” and continued with this year’s reports. All are available via the Foundation’s website.

Coverage of the report includes pieces in CA Healthline and Modern Healthcare, and we presented the findings Oct. 12 at the annual meeting of the California Primary Care Association in Burlingame, Ca.