The impact of an arthritis self‐management programme on psychosocial wellbeing

Abstract

Notes that living with arthritis involves pain and fatigue, physical limitations, problems with social relationships and loss of social and leisure activities. Describes the psychosocial challenges associated with living with arthritis and examines whether, as a result of attending an arthritis self-management programme (ASMP), participants felt more capable of meeting those challenges. Interviews were conducted with 16 participants before they attended the ASMP; two weeks after completing the course; and at eight months. During the ASMP, participants benefited from developing an empathic relationship with their peers, thereby reducing feelings of isolation. The ASMP also promoted positive behavioural changes such as exercise, relaxation and pain management. A greater sense of personal control served as a precursor for involvement in initiatives aimed at providing solutions for their local arthritis communities. Suggests a self-management programme can provide a forum that facilitates peer support and improves coping skills.

Self-management Training for People with Chronic Disease: A Shared Learning Experience

“…This finding accords with earlier studies of self-management and group interventions (Barlow, Cullen, Davis, & Williams, 1997;Turner, Barlow, & Williams, 2002). Sharing involved the reciprocal activities of providing support to others and receiving support oneself.…”

The neglected importance of hope in self-management programs – a call for action

“…studies of optimism in disease selfmanagement) does exist within the general illness, the chronic disease literature and, to a less extent, the chronic disease education/ self-management literature. While not talking specifically about 'hope', a number of studies have shown that participants experience reduced isolation as a result of the social connections established through participation in a chronic disease self-management program 3,9,10,17 . Some of our own work and other research suggest that meeting others with the same disease legitimizes participants' illness experiences and enables them to find role models.…”

“…5 In addition, more specific selfmanagement focused chronic disease education programs which teach problem-solving skills rather than providing information are suggested to be important 4 and have been linked to improved clinical 4,6 and utilization outcomes. 7 Relatedly, there is a large body of literature on self-management as the desired end-state for those completing a chronic disease patient education program 1,2,8 including research which suggests that patient empowerment and 'efficacyenhancing strategies', 9 promoted in many education programs, are key enabling factors for achieving higher levels of patient self-management. 4,10 'Hope' is a psychosocial resource used by people to deal with their chronic illness experience 11 and is suggested to be an important coping strategy during periods of suffering or uncertainty.…”

Encouraging Self-Management in Chronically Ill Patients With Co-Morbid Symptoms of Depression and Anxiety: An Emergency Department Study and Response

“…With day-to-day care responsibility resting primarily with chronically ill patients and their significant others, effective collaboration with health care professionals can better assist in the coping with self-care tasks (Turner, Williams, & Barlow, 2002;Von Korff, Gruman, Sshafer, Curry, & Wagner, 1997;Warsi et al, 2004). Collaborative management is care that strengthens and supports self-care in chronically ill patients while assuring that effective medical, preventive, and health maintenance interventions also occur (Von Korff et al, 1997).…”