A delineation of self-management and associated concepts

Abstract

ABSTRACT Objectives: To understand and define four concepts that are often used synonymously with one another in the applied health science field and related literature: self-care, self-help, self-help groups, and self-management, in order improve physician-patient interactions and communication. Study design: Non-experimental descriptive archival study using purposive sampling techniques. Method: Concepts were analyzed through a systematic review of the literature within the field of applied health science. Data was collected from 01/2017 to 08/2017. Commonalities and differences were examined, and definitions were formed for each term and subsequently converted into plain language definitions. Results: While there is some overlap amongst these terms, definitions were developed for each term individually, and relationships between them were established. The common theme was that the actions of self-help, self-care, self-management and self-help groups are initiated in some manner by the individual. Self-management exists as a subset of self-care and shares many commonalities with self-help. Meanwhile, self-help groups make up a smaller component within the self-help category. Conclusions: A clearer understanding of each concept, including their overlaps and relationships to one another was established, which can provide specificity for the field. Creating plain language definitions can bridge the gap between academics, physicians, and patients.