1.3: Defining Self-management and Self-management Support

David Featherston

Reflective exercise

Reflect on your own self-management practice and write your thoughts to the following questions.

What do you currently do to support your patient's self-management?

How do you encourage the carer to be included?

Definition of chronic condition self-management

The Australian Government Department of Health and Ageing and The Flinders Human Behaviour and Health Research Unit national consensus of definition determines chronic condition self-management as

“a process that includes a broad set of attitudes, behaviours and skills. It is directed toward managing the impact of the disease or condition on all aspects of living by the patient with a chronic condition. It includes, but is not limited to, self-care and it may also encompass prevention. The following are believed to contribute to this process:

Having knowledge of the condition and/or its management
Adopting a self-management care plan agreed and negotiated in partnership with health professionals, significant others and/or carers and other supporters
Actively sharing in decision-making with health professionals, significant others and/or carers and other supporters
Monitoring and managing signs and symptoms of the condition
Managing the impact of the condition on physical, emotional, occupational and social functioning
Adopting lifestyles that address risk factors and promote health by focusing on prevention and early intervention
Having access to, and confidence in the ability to use support services. (NHPAC, 2006)

(Note that this includes all aspects of the continuum from prevention and early risk factor identification to existing chronic condition)”.⁽¹⁾

Definition of self-management support

“Chronic condition self-management support is what health professionals, carers and the health system do to assist the patient to manage their condition (NHPAC, 2006).” (From Flinders Human Behaviour and Health Research Unit)⁽¹⁾

“It means acknowledging the patients' central role in their care, one that fosters a sense of responsibility for their own health. It includes the use of proven programs that provide basic information, emotional support, and strategies for living with chronic illness. Self-management support can't begin and end with a class. Using a collaborative approach, providers and patients work together to define problems, set priorities, establish goals, create treatment plans and solve problems along the way.” (From Improving Chronic Illness Care)⁽²⁾

Reflective exercise

Brainstorm the following questions and record your ideas on the notepad provided.

What are the attributes of a good self-manager?

What are the barriers to a good self-manager?

Author’s comments

References

Flinders Human Behaviour & Health Research Unit. Capabilities for Supporting Prevention and Chronic Condition Self-Management: A Resource for Educators of Primary Health Care Professionals. Commonwealth of Australia, 2009. http://som.flinders.edu.au/FUSA/CCTU/default.htm
Improving Chronic Illness Care website. http://www.improvingchroniccare.org/

Continue to Module 1.4: Evidence-based Research for Chronic Condition Self-management I.