The Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Self-Reported Management of Chronic Conditions

Hyllore Imeri; Erin Holmes; Shane Desselle; Meagen Rosenthal; Marie Barnard

doi:10.1177/23743735211007693

The Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Self-Reported Management of Chronic Conditions

J Patient Exp. 2021 Apr 7:8:23743735211007693. doi: 10.1177/23743735211007693. eCollection 2021.

Authors

Hyllore Imeri¹, Erin Holmes¹, Shane Desselle², Meagen Rosenthal¹, Marie Barnard¹

Affiliations

¹ Department of Pharmacy Administration, The University of Mississippi, University, MS, USA.
² Department of Pharmacy, Touro University California, Vallejo, CA, USA.

Abstract

Chronic conditions (CCs) management during the COVID-19 pandemic and the impact of the pandemic on patient activation (PA) and health locus of control (HLOC) remain unknown. This cross-sectional online survey study examined the role of COVID-19 pandemic-related worry or fear in PA and HLOC among patients with CCs. Individuals with CCs (n = 300) were recruited through MTurk Amazon. The questionnaire included sociodemographic questions, the Patient Activation Measure, and the Multidimensional Health Locus of Control-Form B. Out of the 300 participants, 9.7% were diagnosed with COVID-19, and 7.3% were hospitalized. Patients with cancer, chronic kidney disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, drug abuse/substance abuse, and stroke reported significant difficulties in managing their CCs due to worry or fear because of COVID-19. More than half of the sample (45.7%) reported COVID-19-related worry or fear about managing their CCs, and these patients had lower PA and lower external HLOC compared to patients not affected by COVID-19-related worry or fear. Health professionals should provide more support for patients facing difficulties in managing their CCs during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Keywords: COVID-19; chronic conditions; health locus of control; patient activation.