Self-management of complex chronic conditions: Recommendations for qualitative health communication research

Abstract

Background: Chronic conditions are on the rise worldwide, urging researchers to increase efforts to develop tailored self-management interventions. Theories and findings from health communication hold great potential to inform these developments, provided that the main current challenges in the field are adequately addressed. Aim: To recommend targets for research in health communication, focusing on qualitative methods, in the field of self-management of (complex) chronic conditions. Methods: A position paper based on a selective review of literature on self-management of chronic health conditions. Findings: To better support the development of tailored self-management programs, health communication research should: i) consider the existential dimension of self-management behavior; ii) recognize and address the fact that we live in an information landscape characterized by information overload and infodemic, and iii) apply qualitative methods to ensure that individuals' perspectives are fully taken into account. Discussion and conclusion: Gaining in-depth qualitative insights into the adjustment process for (complex) chronic health conditions is of mainstream importance for developing tailored communication interventions that can assist newly diagnosed individuals in integrating multiple self-management behaviors in their lives. This holds great potential to improve health outcomes for individuals and to reduce costs for society.