Self-management across chronic diseases: Targeting education and support needs

Among Canadian adults with chronic disease: 1) to identify groups that differ in self-management task frequency and self-efficacy; 2) to compare group characteristics and preferences for self-management support.

Using data from an online survey, cluster analysis was used to identify groups that differed in self-management task frequency and self-efficacy. Multivariable regression was used to explore relationships with patient characteristics and preferences.

Cluster analysis (n = 247) revealed three groups:Vulnerable Self-Managers (n = 55), with the highest task frequency and lowest self-efficacy; Confident Self-Managers (n = 73), with the lowest task frequency and highest self-efficacy; and Moderate Needs Self-Managers (n = 119), with intermediate task frequency and self-efficacy. Vulnerable Self-Managers, when compared with the Confident group, were more often: on illness-related employment disability or unemployed; less well educated; diagnosed with emotional problems or hypertension, and had greater multimorbidity. They participated less often in self-management programs, and differed in support preferences.

Knowing the characteristics of vulnerable self-managers can help in targeting those in greater need for self-management support that matches their preferences.

Different approaches are needed to support self-management in the vulnerable population.