Promoting Self Management Of Chronic Health Conditions

"Promoting Self-Management of Chronic Health Conditions covers a range of topics related to self-management-theories and practice, interventions that have been scientifically tested, and information that individuals with specific conditions should know (or be taught by healthcare professionals)"--

It is common for a doctor or healthcare professional to see an individual with a chronic health condition only a few times a year for a brief office appointment. Yet, the individual has to live with the health condition 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. So, who really is in charge of managing the health condition? The individual has to "micro-manage" their condition, while healthcare professionals can provide advice on treatment approaches or the "macro-management" of the chronic health condition. Promoting Self-Management of Chronic Health Conditions covers a range of topics related to self-management-theories and practice, interventions that have been scientifically tested, and information that individuals with specific conditions should know (or be taught by healthcare professionals). Data suggest that currently a majority of individuals in the U.S. has a chronic health condition, and as society ages and healthcare continues to improve individuals' life-spans, more people will experience a chronic health condition. Health systems need to shift from an acute care model of treatment to a chronic care treatment model, in view of this trend. The expanding need for the development and scientific analysis of formal self-management programs accompany this increase in chronic health conditions. This book serves the critical purpose of helping to increase understanding of self-management and how healthcare providers can empower individuals with chronic health conditions to self-manage.

In January 2004, the Institute of Medicine (IOM) hosted the 1st Annual Crossing the Quality Chasm Summit, convening a group of national and community health care leaders to pool their knowledge and resources with regard to strategies for improving patient care for five common chronic illnesses. This summit was a direct outgrowth and continuation of the recommendations put forth in the 2001 IOM report Crossing the Quality Chasm: A New Health System for the 21st Century. The summit's purpose was to offer specific guidance at both the community and national levels for overcoming the challenges to the provision of high-quality care articulated in the Quality Chasm report and for moving closer to achievement of the patient-centerd health care system envisioned therein.

In the United States, chronic diseases currently account for 70 percent of all deaths, and close to 48 million Americans report a disability related to a chronic condition. Today, about one in four Americans have multiple diseases and the prevalence and burden of chronic disease in the elderly and racial/ethnic minorities are notably disproportionate. Chronic disease has now emerged as a major public health problem and it threatens not only population health, but our social and economic welfare. Living Well with Chronic Disease identifies the population-based public health actions that can help reduce disability and improve functioning and quality of life among individuals who are at risk of developing a chronic disease and those with one or more diseases. The book recommends that all major federally funded programmatic and research initiatives in health include an evaluation on health-related quality of life and functional status. Also, the book recommends increasing support for implementation research on how to disseminate effective longterm lifestyle interventions in community-based settings that improve living well with chronic disease. Living Well with Chronic Disease uses three frameworks and considers diseases such as heart disease and stroke, diabetes, depression, and respiratory problems. The book's recommendations will inform policy makers concerned with health reform in public- and private-sectors and also managers of communitybased and public-health intervention programs, private and public research funders, and patients living with one or more chronic conditions.

Self-management is a term that was used as early as the 1960s when it was applied during the rehabilitation of chronically ill children. Subsequently, self-management was applied as formalized programs for a variety of populations and health issues. In reflecting on self-management, it is important to note that it would be difficult for individuals not to be aware of their specific health behaviors, which could include unhealthy behaviors. As self-management has evolved, essential skills identified include behavioral modeling, decision making, planning, social persuasion, locating, accessing and utilizing resources, assisting individuals to form partnerships with their health care providers and taking action. These are key skills that would benefit health professional educators, clinicians and patients. This book, consisting of three parts, provides insights into the aspects of self-management as it relates to its definition and application. It highlights how self-management can be applied to various long-term health conditions, for different populations or target groups and in different contexts. The text provides an overview of self-management and the rationale for its applications by illustrating its use in specific clinical conditions and in different sub-populations and target groups. Academics can use the book as a textbook when teaching postgraduate and undergraduate students about self-management as a technique to facilitate community reintegration for individuals living with long-term conditions. It can also be used by clinicians to enhance their management of individuals with long-term conditions. Furthermore, researchers can use the text to expand and support their research in this area.

Drawing on input from people with long-term ailments, this book points the way to achieving the best possible life under the circumstances.

This book focuses on optimizing management and outcomes rather than on routine diagnosis of chronic disease. The reader learns proven methods for treating the most common chronic conditions that they see in daily practice. Chapters are structured to help physicians adopt evidence-based management techniques specific for each condition. Special emphasis is placed on the use of action plans and educational resources for promoting patient self-management.