Abstract
As chronic illnesses represent a growing share of the disease burden, patients are increasingly expected to become active participants in healthcare by engaging in self-management (SM). Self-management programmes (SMPs) aim to improve health outcomes and reduce healthcare utilisation by training patients to engage in SM, but the pathway by which this happens is complex. This ongoing mixed-methods project seeks to strengthen SMPs by 1) evaluating current SMP approaches, 2) understanding patients’ abilities and needs with respect to SM, and 3) developing and validating an assessment tool to measure patients’ SM expertise. First, we conducted two systematic literature reviews on patients’ expertise and SMPs. Next, we interviewed patients, clinicians, and policymakers (N=15) to define SM expertise. This has informed a 3-round Delphi with the same stakeholder groups (N=30) to develop an assessment of patient SM expertise for one chronic condition. The assessment will undergo validity and reliability testing on a large sample at two timepoints. Results indicate that, while there is consensus around knowledge and skills required for effective SM, direct educational outcomes of SMPs are not routinely measured. Failing to measure this step in the SM pathway constrains our ability to establish a causal link between SMPs and outcomes, and leaves little direction for programmes with statistically insignificant results. A validated assessment tool will enable: 1) systematic evaluation of SMPs, 2) increased confidence in patients’ expertise, 3) identification and provision of tailored healthcare services and supports, and 4) provision of individually-appropriate opportunities to participate in care management.
Details
Presentation Type
Paper Presentation in a Themed Session
Theme
Health Promotion and Education
KEYWORDS
Health Education, Health Curriculum, Health Promotion, Chronic Diseases, Self-Management, Patient-Centered
