Gender differences in self-management activation among patients with multiple chronic diseases: a qualitative study

Area of Science:

• Health Services Research
• Sociology of Health and Illness
• Gerontology

Background:

• Multimorbidity impacts quality of life and strains healthcare systems, especially with aging populations.
• Effective self-management is crucial for improving health outcomes in chronic conditions.
• Gender significantly shapes patient experiences and self-management strategies for chronic diseases.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore and identify gender differences in self-management approaches among individuals with multiple chronic diseases.

Main Methods:

• Qualitative phenomenological study utilizing in-depth semi-structured interviews with 43 purposively sampled patients.
• Thematic analysis was applied to interview data to identify patterns in self-management experiences.
• Findings were interpreted using the domains of the Patient Activation Measure-13 (PAM-13).

Main Results:

• Six key themes emerged: personal responsibility, health literacy, decision-making, healthcare communication, adherence, complication prevention, and lifestyle changes.
• Significant gender differences were observed across all self-management themes.
• Women generally exhibited more proactive self-management, whereas men tended to rely more on external support.

Conclusions:

• Distinct gendered approaches to chronic illness self-management exist, with women often being more engaged in self-care and informal caregiving.
• Men typically showed greater reliance on others and less inclination to seek help, indicating a need for enhanced autonomy and health literacy.
• Gender-sensitive, patient-centered interventions are essential for improving chronic disease management, health outcomes, and reducing health disparities.