OBJECTIVES: To explore the association between health-related quality of life (HRQoL) and patient engagement among patients in general out-patient clinic in Hong Kong, China.

METHODS: A cross-sectional study with the face-to-face interview was conducted from July to September 2018 in Hong Kong. The 20-item Patient engagement index (PEI), which developed by the Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK) with sound psychometric properties was used to measure the level of patient engagement. The Hong Kong version of EQ-5D-5L and value set was used to assess the HRQoL. All the qualified patients were asked to fill a written consent form. Descriptive data were summarized as frequencies as socio-demographic variables, engagement score and utility. Ordinary least squares (OLS) regression model was used to assess the relationship between patient engagement and HRQoL.

RESULTS: In total, 686 patients (56%) were successfully completed the questionnaire. The average age of the respondents was 49.4, 86% of respondents received secondary or above educational certificate, and 71.7% of them reported live with at least one type of chronic condition. The mean score of PEI was 37.02 (0-100), female, younger, better educated, live with families and get fully employed respondents performed better on engagement. For HRQoL, the mean utility was 0.92. Respondents were male, younger, better educated, and not received government allowance got higher utility. The linear regression model indicated there was a positive relationship between patient engagement and HRQoL (b= 2.66, C.I. 0.23~7.31, p<0.05) adjusted by other socio-economic characteristics.

CONCLUSIONS: The study illustrated that patients highly engaged in their health care tend to have a better health-related quality of life. These results are very inspired that patient engagement should be taken into consideration when developing a trustworthy evidence-based intervention to promote the people’s quality of life.