Self-management support is “assistance provided by clinicians and public health practitioners to enhance an individual’s self-efficacy in managing one or more chronic conditions.” 1Self-management support increases individuals’ skills and confidence in managing their health problems, including regular assessment of progress and barriers, goal setting, and problem-solving support.2 The concept of self-management is inclusive of a wide range of behaviors on which individuals might focus to maintain their health – such as diet, exercise, sufficient sleep, social outlets, and stress reduction.
When individuals acquire self-management skills and use these skills over time, they gain autonomy over their health and health care choices, which may lead to longer, more satisfying lives. Self-management has been demonstrated to increase individuals’ satisfaction with health care, reduce the cost of care, and improve health outcomes for persons with a variety of chronic health conditions.3 Other self-management benefits include increased engagement in health care decision-making and stronger member and care team relationships. Providing self-management support is, therefore, a key activity for health care providers seeking to deliver integrated, high-quality health care. Health care providers should have the appropriate training, tools, and resources to assist individuals with developing self-management skills and tracking their health progress.
Resources for Integrated Care has developed many products to help organizations and providers better understand self-management support and to implement self-management support strategies.
1 Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2020). Self-management support and education. Best Practices Guide. https://www.cdc.gov/dhdsp/pubs/guides/best-practices/self-management.htm.
2 Adams, K. & Corrigan, J.M. (2003). Priority areas for national action: Transforming health care quality. Institute of Medicine. Washington, DC: National Academies Press.
3 Lorig, K.R., et al. (2001). Chronic disease self-management program: 2-year health status and health care utilization outcomes. Med Care, 39(11):1217-23.
