To support self-management for people with long-term conditions - The effect on shared decision-making, empowerment and coping after participating in group-learning sessions.

Abstract

IntroductionInterventions that support patients to handle the emotional and medical aspects of a long‐term health condition is important. One way is to use peer‐support groups, to help patients solving problems, increasing their knowledge and making decisions.Aimwas to investigate the impact on shared decision‐making, empowerment and coping after participation in group‐learning sessions for patients with long‐term conditions (N = 42).DesignAn intervention following a health education programme based on group‐learning sessions was established. Eight different programmes were held in five different departments at a regional county hospital in Sweden.MethodsQuestionnaires were analysed using paired‐sample t‐test.ResultsResults showed that patients might have better opportunities to be more active during their patient encounter after attending the group learning sessions. Interventions directed to patient activation may be one key in future healthcare management, especially concerning long‐term conditions. Empowering patients is central in healthcare, and using different approaches is important.