Is there data to support the concept that educated, empowered patients have better outcomes?

Achieving positive patient outcomes through the delivery of high quality services encompasses a broad range of indicators, including quality of life, employment, satisfaction with care, utilization of services, cost-benefit, as well as the clinical indices frequently targeted. Empowering and educational initiatives have been shown to positively impact the quality of life of renal patients in both the psychosocial and functional domains. This has extreme relevance in the context of overall care, as empirical evidence has indicated that health-related quality of life measures are associated with improved hospitalization and survival. Home care and self-care training have been associated with better quality of life measures in hemodialysis. Educational efforts have also been associated with better outcomes such as decreased utilization of medical services, the maintenance of employment, consumer satisfaction with care, and a positive cost-benefit. There are data to support that the educated, empowered patient has better outcomes. This evidence will be explored.