Chronic Disease Self Management

What is self management?

Self management refers to what a person with a chronic disease does to actively manage their own health and well-being. It has been broadly defined as: involving the individual with the chronic condition working in partnership with their families/carers and health professionals so that they can:

  • Know their condition and various treatment options
  • Negotiate a plan of care
  • Engage in activities that protect and promote health
  • Monitor and manage the symptoms and signs of the condition
  • Manage the impact of the condition on physical functioning, emotions and interpersonal relationships
  • Have confidence in their ability to use support services

The overall aim is for people to be informed, active participants in their health care to maintain health, and prevent or slow the progression of their disease.

Why is self management important?

Self-management support is one of a number of elements essential for improvements in the care of people with a chronic condition. It has been identified as one of four key action areas in the Australian National Chronic Disease Strategy (NCDS). The NCDS, endorsed by Health Ministers in November 2005, identified four key areas of focus to improve support for self management. These are:

  • Reorienting the health system to support self management
  • Prioritising patient participation in care planning
  • Improving the capacity of the peer, disability, and carer support sectors
  • Tailoring self-management approaches to individual and community needs

How do we support self management?

Self-management programs and interventions include a range of activities, supported by professionals or peer leaders, which aim to achieve one or more of the following outcomes:

  • Improvement in healthy lifestyle behaviours
  • Improvements in health status
  • Reductions in unplanned health service utilisation.

Additional benefits of self-management programs include improved life control and activity, improved resourcefulness and life satisfaction, improved communication with physicians and other health care providers, and enhanced quality in the doctor-patient relationship.

Click here to find out about AGPN's Self Management Support Network Program.