The Health Education Impact Questionnaire (heiQ): An outcomes and evaluation measure for patient education and self-management interventions for people with chronic conditions

Abstract: Objective: This paper describes the development and validation of the Health Education Impact Questionnaire (heiQ). The aim was to develop a user-friendly, relevant, and psychometrically sound instrument for the comprehensive evaluation of patient education programs, which can be applied across a broad range of chronic conditions. Methods: Item development for the heiQ was guided by a Program Logic Model, Concept Mapping, interviews with stakeholders and psychometric analyses. Construction (N =591) and confirmatory (N =598) samples were drawn from consumers of patient education programs and hospital outpatients. The properties of the heiQ were investigated using item response theory and structural equation modeling. Results: Over 90 candidate items were generated, with 42 items selected for inclusion in the final scale. Eight independent dimensions were derived: Positive and Active Engagement in Life (five items, Cronbach''s alpha (α)=0.86); Health Directed Behavior (four items, α =0.80); Skill and Technique Acquisition (five items, α =0.81); Constructive Attitudes and Approaches (five items, α =0.81); Self-Monitoring and Insight (seven items, α =0.70); Health Service Navigation (five items, α =0.82); Social Integration and Support (five items, α =0.86); and Emotional Wellbeing (six items, α =0.89). Conclusion: The heiQ has high construct validity and is a reliable measure of a broad range of patient education program benefits. Practice Implications: The heiQ will provide valuable information to clinicians, researchers, policymakers and other stakeholders about the value of patient education programs in chronic disease management. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]