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Table 5 Overlap and differences between capacity domains used and more recent Theory of Patient Capacity

From: Patient capacity for self-care in the medical record of patients with chronic conditions: a mixed-methods retrospective study

Theory of Patient Capacity Constructs

Capacity Domains Model Used

Differences

Biography

Personal

Emotional

The theory describes the importance of a successful reframing of the patient’s biography to include one’s condition and self-care. The theory describes that it is not specifically the existence of capacity in these domains, but how they contribute to the overall life of the patient and their ability to pursue their life’s hopes, dreams, and purpose.

Resources

Financial

Physical

The theory highlights that it is not simply the presence or absence of resources, but that these resources also must be mobilized by patients. Resources captured in the theory are also more encompassing beyond not just financial or physical ones, but include those such as literacy and self-efficacy.

Environment

Environmental

The theory highlights the significant contribution of patients’ healthcare environment to their capacity, rather than considering purely home and neighborhood environment characteristics.

Work

 

This capacity construct is missing from the model used in this manuscript, and it highlights the contribution of experiential learning from patient work that can be accomplished, rather than patient work that is overwhelming, to patients’ capacity.

Social

Social

The theory expands upon the social capacity domain by highlighting it is not only the existence of social support in a patient’s life, but that patients are able to rely on productive, rather than detrimental, relationships in their social network for emotional and practical support in caring for their conditions.