Self-management: a nursing mode of therapeutic influence

The use of self-management training as a mode of nursing action capitalizes on the current participative response of consumers of health. Self-management training offers guidance to alter physiological processes, cognitions, behavioral habits, and emotions by self-regulation. Especially responsive are patients with symptoms of stress disorders. Evaluation of this mode of nursing action focuses on the amount of reduction of stress responses and retention of training. The outcome for 322 patients demonstrates highly significant changes on multiple measures (P = .0001). Furthermore, at 6-month follow-up, the status of 182 patients was maintained or improved (P = .001). A comparison group, tested prior to and after a waiting period, showed no improvement.