Self-Management of Illness and Long-Term Conditions

2016 ◽  
Vol 27 (4) ◽  
pp. 547-558 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nicola Stenberg ◽  
Penny J. Furness

The outcomes of self-management interventions are commonly assessed using quantitative measurement tools, and few studies ask people with long-term conditions to explain, in their own words, what aspects of the intervention they valued. In this Grounded Theory study, a Health Trainers service in the north of England was evaluated based on interviews with eight service-users. Open, focused, and theoretical coding led to the development of a preliminary model explaining participants’ experiences and perceived impact of the service. The model reflects the findings that living well with a long-term condition encompassed social connectedness, changed identities, acceptance, and self-care. Health trainers performed four related roles that were perceived to contribute to these outcomes: conceptualizer, connector, coach, and champion. The evaluation contributes a grounded theoretical understanding of a personalized self-management intervention that emphasizes the benefits of a holistic approach to enable cognitive, behavioral, emotional, and social adjustments.


2021 ◽  
pp. 174239532110434
Author(s):  
Sally Hemming ◽  
Fehmidah Munir

Objectives To examine differences in patient activation and self-management support needs in a population of UK workers with long-term health conditions. Methods Demographic, health and activation information were taken from the data of participants with long-term conditions, collected via an online cross-sectional survey of workers. The 13-item British patient activation measure measured workers knowledge, skills and confidence towards self-managing. Results Three hundred and seven workers with mental health, musculoskeletal and other conditions completed the patient activation measure. Mental health conditions were most prevalent (36.8%). Workers were higher activated, however workers with mental health conditions were significantly less activated ( p = 0.006). Differences in activation by condition severity and age were revealed. Discussion This study provides insight to the activation of UK workers with long-term conditions. Whilst workers with mental health conditions need more training and education to self-manage, workers are variably activated indicating broader support needs. There is a gap for workplace self-management support. The patient activation measure is used in healthcare to improve people’s self-management and should be considered to be included in the workplace, and could form part of interventions to support workers self-management. More rigorous studies, including the patient activation measure, are needed to identify the best approaches to identifying workers self-management support needs.


PLoS ONE ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 16 (3) ◽  
pp. e0248181
Author(s):  
Monika Dybdahl Jakobsen ◽  
Aud Obstfelder ◽  
Tonje Braaten ◽  
Birgit Abelsen

Background Food hypersensitivity (FH) has received considerable attention in the scientific community in recent years. However, little attention has been given to the efforts people make to manage their FH. We aimed to explore these efforts by using Normalization Process Theory, which is a conceptual framework formerly used to describe the self-management ‘work’ of long-term conditions. Methods We carried out qualitative individual interviews with 16 women with FH. Transcripts from recorded interviews were analyzed using template analysis. Results 16 women participated; some had diagnoses from conventional medicine (celiac disease, lactose intolerance, food allergies, irritable bowel syndrome) and some did not. Participants described carrying out several tasks, some of which were time-consuming, to manage their FH. Women who had clarified once and for all what food(s) caused symptoms, described that they could concentrate on carrying out a restricted diet, which could become routine. Conversely, participants who had not achieved such clarification described carrying out tasks to identify what food(s) caused symptoms, and to implement and evaluate a tentative diet. Participants’ descriptions also revealed a heightened vigilance when they ate food that others had prepared, and some made efforts to conceal their FH. Conclusions Self-management of FH may, like the self-management of other long-term conditions, imply a large workload and burden of treatment. Efforts made to conceal FH may be considered part of this workload, while help in clarifying which food(s) cause symptoms has the potential to reduce the workload.


2010 ◽  
pp. 229-238 ◽  
Author(s):  
P. J. McCullagh ◽  
C. D. Nugent ◽  
H. Zheng ◽  
W. P. Burns ◽  
R. J. Davies ◽  
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