Self-care for people coping with long-term health conditions in the community: the views of patients and GPs
Abstract
Purpose
Long-term health problems put great pressures on health and social care services. Supporting ‘self-care’ has measurable benefits in helping patients cope better, but is difficult to do in practice. This review aims to help improve services by exploring existing evidence about the views of patients and GPs.
Design/methodology/approach
The search terms were identified following detailed discussion with service users. Five databases (PUBMED, CINAHL, TRIP, SCIE and PSYCINFO) were interrogated against pre-set questions and criteria. The data were managed in EndNote v6 and analysed in a series of Word tables.
Findings
37 community-based studies were identified, covering diverse chronic illnesses. Analysis of ‘barriers and enablers’ showed a very complex picture, with health systems often actively inhibiting the responsiveness and flexibility which support self-care. Directly seeking service user and practitioner views could shape more effective services
Research limitations/implications
Further research is needed into: the purpose and outcomes of user involvement, the relationship between integrated care and self-care, how patient motivation and resilience can be encouraged in primary care and the effect of current incentive schemes on self-care support Due to organisational changes, eligible studies were reviewed by one researcher only and these were mainly qualitative studies lacking generalisability. However, the results spanned a range of settings and health conditions. They are also clearly supported by later primary research findings
Practical implications
Several evidence-based, achievable opportunities to improve self-care support in primary care settings are identified
Originality/value
This service-user study, offers detailed analysis of what helps or hinders self-care in everyday life
Citation
Trappes-Lomax, T. (2016), "Self-care for people coping with long-term health conditions in the community: the views of patients and GPs", Journal of Integrated Care, Vol. 24 No. 2. https://doi.org/10.1108/JICA-05-2015-0019
Publisher
:Emerald Group Publishing Limited
Copyright © 2016, Emerald Group Publishing Limited