What is Self-management?

'Self-management' of a chronic medical condition(s), is about a person understanding and feeling in control of their medical condition, and the lifestyle choices and medical decisions they need to make to let them live as comfortably as possible with that medical condition.

What is needed to make self-management work?

• Active partnerships between the person with the chronic condition, and the health workers with whom they interact.
• For the person with the condition to feel informed, confident and supported enough (by the health workers and those close to them) to ask the questions, or make changes that may be required.

Self-management choices may also be influenced by:

• An individuals belief about the level of control they have over their life,
• Cultural beliefs and expectations,
• Resources available
• Other demands and roles in life
• The resources, structures and attitudes of the local community and/ or families
• Support and information from peers with similar conditions, and
• Information that comes from the internet, magazines and television,

Some people 'self-manage' naturally, whilst other people will benefit from guidance and skill development in this area so they can take a more active role in the management of their medical condition.

The most exciting thing is that the skills that support self-management CAN BE LEARNT!

So what can I do to become a better 'self manager'?

Effective self-managers:

1. Have knowledge and understanding about their condition(s).
2. Are actively involved with their health workers in the decisions made in relation to their treatment and management of their condition(s).
3. Follow the treatment that was agreed upon with the doctor(s) and health care providers, and often use tools to facilitate/support this (e.g. Care Plans).
4. Recognize and monitor their symptoms that are associated with their condition(s) and take appropriate action to manage and cope with these symptoms
5. Manage the physical, emotional and social impact of the condition(s) on their lives.
6. Adopt a lifestyle that promotes good health and does not aggravate their symptoms

These factors were identified in the work and literature reviews that have been done around self-management by Flinders University Coordinated Care Training Unit in SA.

How Does This Link With The 'Whose health is it anyway?' Project

Throughout the life of the 'Whose health is it anyway?' project, interventions will be targeted across all these elements to assist in the development of structures and skills that will promote and support self-management at individual and community levels.

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