The first study found that the most effective forms of self-management support are tailored to the individual patient and underpinned by support from healthcare professionals and their organisations. The second found that self-management support is associated with a small but significant positive impact on quality of life.

The first study reviewed the existing evidence to determine which forms of self-management support are the most effective for patients with a wide variety of long-term conditions (LTCs). It found that key components of successful interventions included the provision of education about the condition as well as psychological support, strategies to support adherence to treatment and practical support tailored to the specific LTC. The researchers suggest that self-management should be actively supported and become a normal part of care provision.

Read the full report in the NIHR Journals Library.

The second project reviewed the existing literature and found that self-management support was associated with a small but significant positive impact on quality of life. The researchers also found that for the majority of self-management interventions, patient outcomes were not compromised. For heart and lung patients, there was good evidence that self-management interventions led to lower hospital use.

Read the full report in the NIHR Journals Library.