An evaluation of a self-management program for patients with long-term conditions

Objective: To evaluate a group-based self-management program (SMP) delivered as part of a quality improvement program, Co-Creating Health, for patients living with one of four long-term conditions (LTCs): chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, depression, diabetes, and musculoskeletal pain. Methods: The 7 week SMP was co-delivered by lay and health professional tutors. Patients completed self-reported outcome measures at pre-course and 6 months follow-up. Results: 486 patients completed (attended ≥5 sessions) the SMP and returned pre-course and 6 months follow up data. Patients reported significant improvements in patient activation (ES 0.65, pp= 0.04), and health status (ES 0.33, pppp values from pp= 0.028). Conclusion: Attending the SMP led to improvements in a range of outcomes. Improvement in patient activation is important, as activated patients are more likely to perform self-care activities. Practice implications: Co-delivered SMPs provide meaningful improvements in activation for >50 of those who complete and are a useful addition to self-management support provision