The importance of self-management behaviors
When patients are living with a long-term condition, they frequently need to engage in a range of health-related behaviors. These behaviors include direct health management behaviors such as treatment adherence and healthy eating, plus broader behaviors such as communicating needs and accessing support. Collectively, these are self-management behaviors.
It is important to consider an individual patient’s ability to effectively self-manage their condition and treatment. While the range of self-management tasks and skills are assumed to be shared across all patients living with a health problem, it does not mean that self-management support should be generic or delivered in a one-size-fits-all approach. Effective programs need to support patients in identifying their specific needs and acquiring the necessary self-management skills. These goals are better met through tailored and responsive communications, that adjust to changing patient needs over time.
Our proprietary Self-Management Framework recognizes that self-management does not occur in isolation. Healthcare professionals, friends and family and health support systems can all have an influence on how patients feel and perform daily tasks. We leverage the Self-Management Framework to build solutions that consider, and work across, all these dimensions to support and guide each individual to achieve the best possible outcomes.
The Atlantis Healthcare Self-Management Framework draws on the most comprehensive theories and models of patient behavior from the behavioral science disciplines. It underpins the design and build of our personalized patient support solutions and is supported by over 20 years of experience, research and publication in the area of healthcare behavior change.