Influence of self-management and self-management support on chronic low back pain patients in primary care

Abstract

Purpose This study utilized a nonexperimental, cross‐sectional, descriptive design to examine self‐management (SM), self‐management support (SMS), and other pain‐related variables in chronic low back pain (CLBP), and described participants’ perceptions of their SM, SMS, and functional ablement. Data sources Data were collected from 120 participants in four primary care clinics using survey measures. Conclusions SMS was found to significantly influence SM and mental health. Overall health significantly influenced functional ablement and pain intensity. Participants described using medications, exercising, and making lifestyle changes as most common SM strategies. Prescribing medications, giving encouragement, and providing information were main participant‐perceived SMS activities. Depression and anxiety were key responses to perceptions on functional ablement. Implications for practice Study findings increase our understanding of the SM, SMS, and functional ablement of CLBP patients with relevance to application in practice. There is a great need to develop evidence‐based SM and SMS programs specific to CLBP patients’ needs. Nurses and nurse practitioners play major roles in leading this initiative. Study findings also reinforce the importance of psychologists and physical therapists’ collaboration in the complex care of CLBP. Longitudinal and experimental studies are recommended to evaluate SM and SMS programs that include physical therapy and psychological care components.

Re-imagining the role of the physiotherapist when managing people with long-term conditions

“…Self-management support is the action of assisting individuals to develop the capability, confidence and the desire to take responsibility for their own health and wellbeing (Kawi, 2014;Panagioti et al, 2014). Supporting individuals to self-manage is considered a vital component of care for people with LTCs as it has the potential to improve clinical outcomes (Peek, Sanson-Fisher, Mackenzie and Carey, 2016;Taylor et al, 2014), enhance quality of life (Panagioti et al, 2014) and reduce the need for in-patient care (Challis et al, 2010).…”

“…This can be significant in people with LTCs as many individuals experience a sense of powerlessness as they attempt to come to terms with their physical decline and functional loss (Delmer et al, 2005;Coventry et al, 2014). Increasing dependence on others (Graven et al, 2013) and uncertainty about their condition can also lead to fear, anxiety, worry and loss of hope for the future (Kawi, 2014;Brown et al, 2014). This can affect confidence and lead to low self-esteem (Orlin, Cicirello, O'Donnell and Doty, 2014).…”

Postoperative Pain Self‐Management Behavior in Patients Who Underwent Total Knee or Hip Arthroplasty

“…Support from health care professionals can influence a patient's pain self‐management ability 20 . Together with the health care team, patients can play an important role in acute pain control.…”

Establishing consensus on key elements and implementation enablers of community-based pain programs to support primary health network decision making: an eDelphi study

“…Australia's primary healthcare system supports patient self-management via community-based chronic disease selfmanagement education programs and financial incentives (via Medicare Benefits Schedule (MBS) items) for health professionals to develop care plans and provide multidisciplinary care (Jordan et al 2008). While evidence continues to emerge for community-based pain programs (Kawi 2014;Turner et al 2018;Hurstak et al 2019;Joypaul et al 2019), the absence of sufficient MBS support to implement this model of care has hindered the provision of these programs (Jordan et al 2008;Painaustralia 2019).…”