Examples of survey tools for use in supported self-management

Self-management needs and behaviours

  • Diabetes Self-Management Questionnaire
    • focuses on people with diabetes
    • 16 items focused on blood sugar management, dietary control, physical activity and healthcare use
    • available in multiple languages. Developed in Europe
    • can be used as an individual assessment tool or measure to track progress before and after an intervention
  • Long-Term Conditions Questionnaire (LTCQ)
    • explores impact of long-term conditions on people’s lives and the individual support they want or need
    • 20-item tool developed in the UK
    • no cost
  • Physical Activity Scale
    • various tools to measure whether people are taking part in self-management behaviours, such as eating healthily and being active
    • can be used to identify the support behaviours and needs of individuals or groups, or to assess change after interventions
    • no cost
  • Self-Management Assessment Scale
    • tool to help a person self-assess their self-management strengths, needs and possible barriers
    • focuses on knowledge, goals for the future, daily routines, emotional adjustment and social support
    • can be used in conversations with professionals
    • can be used to tailor support for individuals or to measure change after an intervention
    • tested in various parts of the world and with people with different conditions
    • no cost

Health literacy*

* The ability to obtain, read, understand, and use healthcare information. Given that 43–61% of the working age population in England do not routinely understand the health information they are given (Institute of Health Equity/Public Health England 2015), a Universal Precautions approach (based on using simple language, checking understanding and avoiding the use of medical jargon and acronyms) rather than a measurement approach is generally recommended in most situations.

  • Single Item Screener (SILS)
    • single question that can be added to other questionnaires
    • asks how often a person needs someone’s help when they read health information. Usually used as a one-off assessment rather than a before and after measure
    • needs to be sensitively administered and may be most helpful when used in conjunction with techniques such as teach back
    • no cost
    • many other longer health literacy tools are available
  • Newest Vital Sign (NVS)
    • people are given a food label and asked six questions
    • available in English and Spanish
    • short; takes 3 minutes. Designed for one-off use
    • no cost

Enablement/activation

  • Consumer Health Activation Index (CHAI)
    • examines knowledge, self-efficacy, beliefs, activity and internal locus of control
    • can be used as an individual assessment tool to help tailor support, or as a measure of impact after an intervention
    • no cost, but requires registration
  • Patient Activation Measure® (PAM®)
    • 10- or 13-item scale categorises people into four levels of activation or readiness to self-manage
    • case studies and summary of evidence are available here.
    • mainly used as an individual assessment tool. Can be used before and after interventions
  • Patient Enablement Instrument (PEI)
    • 6-item scale exploring whether enablement improves following a primary care visit
    • used at one point in time; people are asked to reflect on whether things are much better, better or the same, or not as good following a consultation
    • 3 items from this are used in the General Practice Assessment Questionnaire, so it may be possible to draw on existing data at population level
    • no cost

Self-efficacy*

*The extent to which a person believes in their ability to self-manage.

  • Chronic Disease Self-Efficacy
    • 6-item scale validated in many languages
    • developed in the US, so wording may need to be adapted for use in the UK
    • no cost
  • Self-Management Screening Tool
    • 27 items about self-efficacy, whether people feel they control what happens to them, depression, anxiety, coping, social support, and burden of disease
    • developed in Europe
    • mainly used to tailor individual support but can be used as before and after measure
    • no cost

Wellbeing/health status quality of life

  • EQ-5D
    • short tools to measure quality of life, including mobility, self-management, usual activities, pain and anxiety
    • available in over 200 languages and various formats
    • can be used as before and after measure
    • widely used so can compare with other initiatives
  • Personal Wellbeing (ONS4)
    • used in the Office for National Statistics’ Measuring National Wellbeing (MNW) Programme
    • asks people to evaluate how satisfied they are with their life overall
    • used by some UK social prescribing link workers, both when they start working with people and later. Some other areas use Outcomes Star™, a set of visual tools including some for young people
  • PROMIS®
    • many domains to choose from, including physical health, mental health and social health/isolation
    • includes scales for adults and for children
    • can be used as before and after measures
    • developed in the US
    • no cost
  • Short Warwick–Edinburgh Mental Wellbeing Scale (WEMWBS)
    • used for both populations and individual interventions
    • short. Validated in several languages
    • need to register to use, but no cost

Extent to which professionals or systems support self-management