Use of the self- and family management framework and implications for further development

The Self- and Family Management Framework (SFMF) was created in 2006 and revised in 2015 to guide research on self- and family management of chronic conditions. There has been no review of use of the SFMF.

We reviewed articles citing the SFMF to identify the frequency and nature of use.

We conducted a citation analysis, searching Web of Science, Scopus, and Google Scholar databases and extracted key data from identified articles.

Of 126 articles, 84(66%) cited the 2006 SFMF, 37(29%) cited the 2015 SFMF, and 6(5%) cited both. The SFMF was used most to inform study design. Users noted strengths (e.g., considers family context) and limitations (e.g., non-specification of patient- family caregiver synergies) of the framework.

The SFMF has been used broadly to guide research on self- and family management of chronic conditions. Findings will inform development of a third version of the SFMF.