What is self-management support?

Self-management support is “the systematic provision of education and supportive interventions…to increase clients’ skills and confidence in managing their health problems, including regular assessment of progress and problems, goal setting, and problem-solving support.”[1] The concept of self-management is inclusive of a wide range of behaviors clients might focus on to maintain their health – such as diet, exercise, sufficient sleep, social outlets, and stress reduction.

Why implement self-management support?

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. Providing self-management support is, therefore, a key activity for health care providers seeking to deliver integrated, high-quality health care. In addition, 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.[2] Self-management is especially applicable to individuals with serious mental illness and to those with substance use conditions. Previous studies have demonstrated how self-management programs can improve health outcomes for those with serious mental illness and other comorbid chronic conditions.[3]

Understanding Self-Management Support

Explore these resources to better understand self-management support.

How To Implement

Use these resources to understand the leading practices and techniques for implementing self-management support in your organization.

Self-Management Support In Action

Reference these resources to understand how self-management support is applied in practice.

*Resource is available in English and Spanish.

References

[1] Adams, K. & Corrigan, J.M. (2003). Priority areas for national action: Transforming health care quality. Institute of Medicine. Washington, DC: National Academies Press. [2] 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. [3] Druss, B.G., et al. (2010). The Health and Recovery Peer (HARP) Program: A Peer-Led Intervention to Improve Medical Self-Management for Persons with Serious Mental Illness. Schizophr Res., 118(1-3):264-70.