Promoting self-management of chronic medical problems

Abstract

This chapter provides information concerning methods that have been found to be effective in the self-management of four common chronic medical problems: (a) diabetes, (b) arthritis, (c) headache and low back pain, and (d) asthma. While these four chronic conditions are the focus of this chapter, research has shown that self-management can be effective for a wide variety of chronic conditions, and for a variety of demographics, including age, culture, and language spoken (Ritter et al., Chronic Illness, 7:162-172, 2011). In addition, information is provided concerning effective components of self-management programs, which may be helpful to social workers in designing patient education and self-management programs.