What is Patient Self-Management? A Guide for Care Teams

Patient self-management refers to the actions a patient takes to manage their chronic condition(s) between office visits, that include the monitoring of vital signs, taking note of concerning symptoms, and following the medication regimen as prescribed.

Patient Self-Management vs. Self-Care

Patient self-management and self-care are two separate concepts. Self-care is defined by general healthy living habits, whereas self-management is condition-specific maintenance the patient performs in between office visits.

5 Ways Care Teams Can Support Patient Self-Management

Clinicians and care teams should have a solid understanding of how to teach and support self-management so their patients can confidently take charge of their own health and improve outcomes. As such, below are five important tips to keep in mind.

1. Use a Patient-Centered Care Approach

A patient-centered care approach designates the patient and their family members as the primary decision-makers, while also taking into consideration relevant non-clinical factors such as cultural values and socioeconomic status. This approach grants the patient and their loved ones more autonomy than with a traditional care model.

2. Teach Proper Self-Monitoring Habits

Self-monitoring, a key component of patient self-management, involves the patient keeping track of their own vitals to evaluate their condition on an ongoing basis. Glucose testing and blood pressure monitoring are two common examples of self-monitoring.

3. Make Health Data Accessible

Making health data accessible allows the patient to view important documentation and track their own progress so they can make informed decisions about their own health.

4. Build Patient-Provider Trust

A secure patient-provider relationship is crucial for patient self-management success. Patients who trust and respect their providers are far more likely to stick to the care plan and report any new symptoms that appear.

5. Educate

There’s a reason for the old saying, “knowledge is power;” the more knowledgeable a patient is about their health, the more confident they’ll feel in voicing their questions and concerns. Educate the patient on all aspects of their condition(s) so that they have a clear picture of achievable health goals and how to implement any necessary lifestyle changes.

Patient Self-Management for Chronic Care

Patient self-management is a crucial component of a successful Chronic Care Management (CCM) program. An effective Chronic Care Management platform captures the care team’s documented time against each care plan automatically, so the work that supports patient self-management (calls, check-ins, symptom review, etc.) is billed without manual end-of-month reconciliation.

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