Self-management programs conducted within a practice setting: who participates, who benefits and what can be learned?

To investigate the impact of generic and diabetes-specific self-management programs offered in a real world context.

A quasi-experimental design with 12-week follow-up compared Living with a Chronic Condition and Living with Diabetes. Self-report data collected included: Self-management Knowledge and Skills; Health Related Quality of Life (HRQOL); Depression; Social Isolation; Loneliness; Self-efficacy; and Health Behaviours.

Participants (N=458) in the two programs differed on almost all baseline measures. Both demonstrated statistically significant improvements in Self-management Knowledge and Skills, as well as reductions in depression. In addition to younger age, low HRQOL, high self-efficacy and Positive and Active Engagement in Life, were the clinical factors most likely to lead to improvements in HRQOL and self-efficacy. Changes in different characteristics predicted different outcomes.

Both generic and disease-specific programs led to improved outcomes, despite the two programs attracting significantly different participants. Referral patterns also differed but GP referral rates were low for both.

Positive participant outcomes can be achieved in real life clinical settings. While younger people with a positive attitude may appear to gain more, it is important to encourage people from low socio-economic status to enter these programs so that social inequalities in health are not worsened.