Self-management Research Articles

The psychometric properties of the Persian version of the Multiple Sclerosis Self-Management Scale-Revised: A cross-sectional methodological study.

Patients with multiple sclerosis (pwMS) need self-management (SM) skills to manage their symptoms and problems. An essential step to SM improvement is accurate SM assessment using valid and reliable instruments. The aim of this study was to evaluate the psychometric properties of the Persian version of the Multiple Sclerosis Self-Management Scale-Revised (MSSMS-R). This cross-sectional methodological study was conducted from December 2021 to June 2022. The face, content, and construct‎ validity of MSSMS-R were evaluated. Construct validity was evaluated through confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) and evaluating convergent and discriminant‎ validity using the data obtained from 210 randomly selected MS patients. The reliability of the scale was also evaluated through the test-retest stability and the internal consistency evaluation methods. The face validity was confirmed and the content validity ratio and index values of all items were more than 0.62 and 0.79, respectively. CFA revealed the acceptable construct validity of the scale after omitting items 21 and 22. In convergent and discriminant validity evaluation, the total score of MSSMS-R had significant positive correlation with the total mean scores of the Multiple Sclerosis Self-Efficacy Scale (r = 0.36; p < 0.001) and the physical health composite‎ (r = 0.31; p < 0.001) and the mental health composite‎ (r = 0.39; p < 0.001) dimensions of the 54-item Multiple Sclerosis Quality of Life scale ‎and significant inverse correlation with the total mean score of the Beck Depression Inventory (r = -0.28; p < 0.001). The Cronbach's alpha values of the scale and its subscales were 0.86 and 0.65-0.90 and their test-retest intraclass correlation coefficients were 0.97 and 0.95-0.99, respectively. The Persian MSSMS-R is a valid and reliable scale and can be used in future studies for SM assessment among pwMS.

A web-based survey on self-management for patients with inflammatory bowel disease in Japan.

Self-management (SMN) is a recognized component of care for chronic conditions, yet its importance in the context of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is unclear. This study evaluates the status of SMN and its relationship with quality of life (QOL) in Japanese patients with IBD. A web-based survey was conducted among adult (≥20 years old) Japanese patients with ulcerative colitis (UC) or Crohn's disease (CD). Registered members of an online IBD information platform completed a 45-item survey covering demographics, diet, treatment, physical condition, stress management, financial concerns, support services, and QOL. SMN was operationally defined by dietary and lifestyle behaviours, and contingency analysis was used to test for associated factors. Individual-level contributions to SMN were identified with logistic regression. There were 372 responses to the survey (211 with UC, 161 with CD). Approximately 60% of participants practiced SMN and these patients were 4-24% more likely to report positive QOL than those who did not. SMN was more common in patients with CD than those with UC. SMN practice was also associated with IBD-related hospitalisation/surgery and consultation with others about IBD (e.g. physicians, nurses, patients). The results of this study suggest an association between the practice of SMN and positive QOL in patients with IBD in Japan.

Needs Assessment of Self-Management for Individuals With Chronic Spinal Cord Injury/Disease.

Since the 1980s, survivorship for persons with spinal cord injury/disease (SCI/D) has significantly improved; however, life expectancy remains lower than the general population due to secondary health conditions (SHCs) that lead to decreased function and death. This study explored (1) facilitators and barriers to engaging in self-management (SM) for persons with SCI/D and (2) stakeholder perspectives on potential SM program components and content for intervention development. Around 38 participants with SCI/D responded to this cross-sectional study and needs assessment conducted at the University of Missouri, Columbia. Responses were analyzed to determine descriptive statistics. Participants indicated barriers to SM include transportation/distance, presence of SHCs, and a lack of local resources. Participants noted that virtual SM programs with strong psychological health/coping components were preferred. These findings should guide the development of an SM program tailored to SCI/D to reduce the prevalence and impact of SHC on the SCI/D population.

Soft Skills and Competences Formation of Higher Education Recipients as an Adaptation Basis to Professional Activity of Future Specialists

The aim of the article is to determine the list of soft skills and competencies in the process of training higher education recipients in the educational program “Documentation Studies, Management of State Authorities and Local Self-Government” at Kyiv National University of Culture and Arts.&#x0D; Research methods consisted of a set of general scientific methods of studying the problem. The overview and analytical method was applied during the processing of professional and profile literature, as well as determining the theoretical basis of this research; the systematic method was effective during the study of definite domestic practices of soft skills and competencies formation and development; the application of the induction method made it possible to generalize the data and draw a conclusion about the possibility of using the experience of other educational institutions within Kyiv National University of Culture and Arts. Scientific intelligence was based on the principles of objectivity and integrity.&#x0D; Scientific novelty consists in determining soft skills and competences as a basis for adaptation to professional activity in the process of training young specialists in the educational program “Documentation Studies, Management of State Authorities and Local Self-Government” at Kyiv National University of Culture and Arts.&#x0D; Main conclusions. Theoretical and practical training of higher education recipients in the educational program “Documentation Studies, Management of State Authorities and Local Self- Government” at Kyiv National University of Culture and Arts creates the foundation not only for hard skills, but also for the gradual formation of soft skills. In turn, this will facilitate the easier integration of young specialists into future professional activity. The identification and analysis of various groups of such competencies during training and practice gives reason to assert that education really contributes to the soft skills development.&#x0D; Basic communication skills, self-management skills, effective thinking and managerial skills are the most appropriate for the formation of competencies of a specialist in the field of document studies. The role of entrepreneurial skills and permanent learning is also crucial.

Evaluation of a workplace weight management program based on WeChat platform for obese/overweight people in China using the RE-AIM framework

A Weight Management Program (WMP) is a critical and promising approach to losing excess weight and maintaining a healthy lifestyle for obese/overweight people. This study used the RE-AIM framework to retrospectively evaluate a WeChat-based workplace WMP that include low- and high-intensity interventions — self-management (SM) and intensive support (IS) — designed for employees with varying levels of health risk at a Chinese company. Both interventions incorporated with a variety of m-health technologies and behavioral strategies. While the IS group additionally received personalized feedback on diet record and intensive social support. Approximately 26% of all overweight/obese employees in the company enrolled in the program. Both groups lost a significant amount of weight at the endpoint (P < 0.001). In comparison to the SM group, the IS group had significantly higher level of compliance with self-monitoring. At six-month, 67% of individuals reported no additional weight gain. The WeChat-based WMP has received widespread praise from program participants and intervention providers in spite of difficulties encountered. This comprehensive and meticulous evaluation revealed both the strengths and weaknesses of the program, which will assist in improving implementation and balancing the cost and effectiveness of online WMP.

Use and value of self-management (SM) recommendations in a real-world evidence study evaluating digital patient monitoring (DPM) of patients (pts) receiving cancer care.

1603 Background: SM includes pts’ abilities and activities to manage symptoms, treatment (tx), and any problems inherent to a chronic condition. Tailored SM support is recommended in cancer care. DPM enables pts to systematically self-report disease- or tx-related symptoms, communicate directly with healthcare professionals (HCPs), and access support materials. This observational study evaluated the real-world use of the Symptom Navi Program (SNP; Bern, Switzerland) SM materials on the Kaiku Health DPM platform (Helsinki, Finland) in collaboration with F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd (Roche; Basel, Switzerland). Methods: Adults diagnosed with locally advanced or metastatic non-small/small cell lung cancer, or any stage HER2-positive breast cancer being treated with locally approved and reimbursed drugs with an expected tx duration of &gt;3 months, had access to a DPM solution that provided disease- and tx-tailored modules, including SNP SM recommendations for selected mild or moderate symptoms. The co-primary endpoints were DPM adoption and adherence. Here we report secondary endpoints; the perceived clinical impact, DPM module and service experience (assessed via Customer Effort Score [CES] and Customer Satisfaction Score [CSS]), and use of DPM features such as SM recommendations, via a DPM tool questionnaire. Results: Of the 89 enrolled pts, 66 had completed the DPM tool questionnaire at Week 6 of DPM use (data cutoff: June 9, 2022). Among the educational content, the symptom feedback library was accessed most. Pts spent up to a median of 12 minutes on Roche educational or SNP SM materials. The majority of pts (45/66 [68%]) considered the symptom questionnaires to cover all/most of the symptoms they experienced; 18/66 (27%) experienced only fair/partial symptom coverage; 49% (25/51) of pts whose symptoms were not covered contacted their HCP team. 34 pts (52%) took action based on the symptom questionnaire feedback; the most common action was SM recommendations applied according to symptom level (21/66 [32%]), followed by sending a message via the platform to the care team (8/66 [12%]). Half of pts found the SNP SM recommendations helpful/very helpful and 22 pts agreed that the SNP SM recommendations almost always/sometimes supported them in delaying contacting an HCP at an emergency room. At Week 6, the CES was 80%, CSS was 71%, and 48% (32/66) of pts felt that this service improved their care. Conclusions: Pt feedback showed that SNP SM recommendations were the most used action in response to the symptom questionnaire feedback and were perceived by most to be helpful/very helpful. These results support the use of SM recommendations in pts with cancer to help them self-manage tx-related symptoms experienced; future studies are needed to further explore their impact and usefulness, and to form recommendations for routine use in clinical practice.

Implementing Digital Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy for Major Depressive Disorder in Routine Psychiatric Appointments: A Pilot Project in a Rural Population.

Psychotherapy is well-established as an effective treatment for major depressive disorder (MDD). However, many individuals with MDD in rural areas of the United States do not have access to psychotherapy. Self-management (SM) strategies are now the standard of care for chronic medical conditions and may be a viable alternative for individuals without access to psychotherapy. The current article describes the implementation of a 13-week pilot project to integrate digital cognitive-behavioral therapy (dCBT) SM programs into routine psychiatric advanced practice nurse (APN) telehealth appointments in the rural United States. Eight participants completed the project. The project did not meet the benchmark of 20 participants to improve access to treatment; however, one half (n = 4) of participants reported clinically significant improvement in MDD symptoms over 6 weeks. For clients without access to psychotherapy, dCBT SM programs can be effective in improving individual client outcomes when implemented by APNs in routine telehealth appointments. [Journal of Psychosocial Nursing and Mental Health Services, 61(10), 44-51.].

Self-Management and Its Predictors in adult Patients with Epilepsy: A Cross-Sectional Study.

Appropriate self-management (SM) is crucial in controlling epilepsy and improving self-efficacy, medication adherence and avoidance of seizure triggers in patients with epilepsy (PWE. The aim of this study was to evaluate SM and its predictors among adult PWE in Iran. This cross-sectional study was conducted in 2021. The participants were 335 adult PWEs that were selected from healthcare settings in Hamadan, Iran. Epilepsy Self-Management Scale (ESMS) was used to measure patients' self-management behaviors. Data were analyzed using the independent samples t-test, Pearson's and Spearman's correlation analyses and multiple linear regression analysis. The mean score of SM was 114.37±11, indicating moderate level of SM, and the mean scores of SM in the medication management, seizure management, and safety management subscales were significantly more than the mean scores of the other subscales (P < 0.05). Age, place of residence, marital status, seizure type, seizure frequency, and epilepsy duration significantly predicted 53% of the variance of SM (adjusted R square = 0.532). PWEs have moderate SM and need SM-related education, particularly about lifestyle management and information management. Predictors of SM should be considered to boost SM practice.

Epigenetic management of self and non-self: lessons from 40 years of transgenic plants.

Plant varieties exhibiting unstable or variegated phenotypes, or showing virus recovery have long remained a mystery. It is only with the development of transgenic plants 40 years ago that the epigenetic features underlying these phenomena were elucidated. Indeed, the study of transgenic plants that did not express the introduced sequences revealed that transgene loci sometimes undergo transcriptional gene silencing (TGS) or post-transcriptional gene silencing (PTGS) by activating epigenetic defenses that naturally control transposable elements, duplicated genes or viruses. Even when they do not trigger TGS or PTGS spontaneously, stably expressed transgenes driven by viral promoters set apart from endogenous genes in their epigenetic regulation. As a result, transgenes driven by viral promoters are capable of undergoing systemic PTGS throughout the plant, whereas endogenous genes can only undergo local PTGS in cells where RNA quality control is impaired. Together, these results indicate that the host genome distinguishes self from non-self at the epigenetic level, allowing PTGS to eliminate non-self, and preventing PTGS to become systemic and kill the plant when it is locally activated against deregulated self.

Self-management programs to ensure sustainable return to work following long-term sick leave due to low back pain: A sequential qualitative study.

Low back pain (LBP) is a prevalent condition frequently leading to disability. Research suggests that self-management (SM) programs for chronic LBP should include strategies to promote sustainable return to work. This study aimed to 1) validate and prioritize the essential content elements of a SM program in light of the needs of workplace representatives, and 2) identify the main facilitators and barriers to be considered when developing and implementing a SM program delivered via information and communication technologies (ICT). A sequential qualitative design was used. We recruited workplace representatives and potential future users of SM programs (union representatives and employers) and collected data through focus groups and nominal group techniques to validate the relevance of the different elements included into 3 broad categories (Understand, Learn, Apply), as well as to highlight potential barriers and facilitators. Eleven participants took part in this study. The content elements proposed in the scientific literature for SM programs were found to align with potential future users' needs, with participants ranking the same elements as those proposed in the literature as the most important across all categories. Although some barriers were identified, workplace representatives believed that ICT offer an appropriate strategy for delivering individualized SM programs to injured workers who have returned to work. Our study suggests that the elements identified in the scientific literature as essential components of SM programs designed to ensure a sustainable return to work for people with LBP are in line with the needs of future users.

The experiences of women seeking help for vaginismus and its impact on their sense of self: An integrative review.

There is low social awareness of vaginismus despite it being a relatively common female sexual dysfunction that makes vaginal penetration painful, difficult, and/or impossible. While existing literature on vaginismus has had a clinical focus on the affected genitalia, there is a lack of research on women's help-seeking experiences of vaginismus from their perspective. This integrative review's objective was to explore: women's help-seeking experiences of vaginismus, and how such help-seeking experiences impact their sense of self. Cooper's five-step integrative review approach was followed to develop a research question, a search strategy, selection criteria, and data evaluation, analysis, and presentation. A systematic search of the literature was completed in the following seven databases in January 2023: PsycINFO, ProQuest Central, PubMed, Scopus, CINAHL, Cochrane, and Embase. Out of the 373 articles found through database searches and additional citation searching, 22 studies were included in this review for meeting the eligibility criteria of having an empirical design, being written in English, and examining women's help-seeking experiences for vaginismus and its impact on their sense of self. Thematic analysis was used to summarize the findings from the included studies which were informed by 1671 participants. Help-Seeking Process, Medical Management, Help-Seeking and Sense of Self, and Holistic Care Recommendations from the Findings emerged as four major themes with corresponding subthemes. This review indicates that women continue to face difficulties in seeking and receiving help for vaginismus even through the healthcare system. However, the studies did not explicitly discuss how women's help-seeking for vaginismus impacted their sense of self. This highlights an epistemological gap on how women's help-seeking for their vaginismus impacts their sense of self, which can affect their treatment responses. Recommendations are provided for future healthcare and research to improve health outcomes for women with vaginismus.

Impact of college-level courses on self-control: Comparison between a self-management course and a physical exercise course

We examined the relative effectiveness of a college-level self-management (SM) course and a physical exercise (PE) course on improving self-control. In Study 1, Barratt Impulsiveness Scale (BIS-11) and general regulatory behavior questionnaire were administered before and after the courses to students from an SM course (experimental group 1; n = 87), a PE course (experimental group 2; n = 22), and a liberal arts course (control group; n = 28). There was a significant decrease in impulsivity and improvement in daily self-control behaviors in the SM group only. In Study 2, the same tests were administered before, after, and 3 months after the courses to the SM (n = 47) and PE groups (n = 20). Impulsivity and daily self-control behaviors were improved only in the SM group and maintained after 3 months. Thus, self-control can be improved and stabilized by teaching and directing self-control behaviors among college students.

Self-Management Intervention: What are the Implications for Students' Academic and Non-Academic Learning? A Systematic Literature Review

This research analyzed the implementation of self-management (SM) strategies, an intervention to facilitate academic and non-academic students’ learning processes. This systematic literature review used an application named, the Publish or Perish 8 program, with a Scopus index. In this research, the applied inclusion criterion was - recent 5-year published articles from 2017-2022. The researchers used PRISMA 2020 concept model with some stages: 1) identifying the articles, 2) screening the articles, 3) checking the eligibility, and 4) using the articles. The researchers applied meta-synthesis data analysis. The results showed that SM strategy implementation could overcome academic problems, and influence learning continuity, balance, motivation, on-task behavior, and learning outcomes. SM strategy could also manage the students' non-academic problems, such as improving self-confidence, future-decision responsibility, and social involvement. The effectiveness of the SM strategy should also consider the student achievement levels, the experience of disability, and general and specific circumstances at schools. Thus, this strategy could deal with certain situations so SM strategy formulation must consider the student's needs.

The effects of self-management education and support on self-efficacy, self-esteem, and quality of life among patients with epilepsy

Introduction: Epilepsy is a chronic disease and the most prevalent neurologic condition after stroke. Self-management (SM) is one of the main components of chronic disease management. It actively engages patients in the management of their problems. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of SM education and support on self-efficacy, self-esteem, and quality of life among patients with epilepsy (PWE). Methods: This quasi-experimental study was conducted in 2019. The participants were seventy PWE conveniently recruited from four healthcare centers in Shahrekord, Iran, and randomly allocated to a control (n = 35) and an intervention (n = 35) group. Study intervention was an educational-supportive SM program implemented in eight ninety-minute sessions followed by a three-month follow-up program. Data were collected before, immediately after, and three months after the intervention. Data collection instruments were the demographic questionnaire, Sherer Self-Efficacy Scale, Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale, and Quality of Life in Epilepsy inventory. Results: Totally, 33 participants in the intervention group and 34 participants in the control group completed the study. There were no significant between-group differences regarding the pretest mean scores of self-efficacy, self-esteem, and quality of life (P > 0.05). Additionally, the variations of these mean scores across the three measurement time points in the control group were insignificant (P > 0.05), while the variations of all these mean scores in the intervention group were significant (P < 0.05). The between-group differences regarding the variations of these mean scores across the three measurement time points were also significant (P < 0.05). Conclusion: SM education and support intervention are effective in significantly improving the self-efficacy, self-esteem, and quality of life in PWE.

Consequences and coping: Investigating client, co-worker and senior colleague incivility within veterinary practice.

Workplace incivility is a workplace stressor with varying effects according to the status of the target and instigator. This study sought to examine veterinary staff's experiences of incivility from clients, co-workers and senior colleagues. An online mixed-measures survey gathered data from UK veterinary staff (n=252, primarily veterinarians and nurses). Quantitative scales were used to collect data on incivility frequency, burnout, mental health, job satisfaction, turnover intention and key coping responses. Qualitative data expanded on preferred coping strategies. The impact of uncivil behaviour varied according to the source of the incivility and the status of the target. Senior colleague incivility predicted veterinarian turnover intention, whereas client incivility predicted burnout. Similarly, senior colleague incivility predicted job satisfaction for veterinary nurses. Seeking support was the most frequently reported coping strategy. The qualitative data illustrated strategies focused on calming the situation and management of self. The data are based on self-reports and are subject to social desirability bias. The sample is limited to UK veterinary staff. Veterinary staff are at risk of experiencing incivility, with varying impacts across job roles and incivility sources. A proactive system approach to incivility is recommended, encompassing support and procedural changes.

A Cloud-based Framework for Quality Assurance and Enhancement as a Service (QAEaaS) for Universities with Blended Learning Approach

The dynamic and multi-dimensional quality assurance process for Saudi higher education institutes under the National Commission for Academic Accreditation and Assessment (NCAAA) demands an integrated framework for management and support of internal quality reviews and evidence-based self -studies in a cost-effective way. Due to cross-institutional involvement, quality assurance compliance with NCAAA standards is even more challenging for institutes offering courses with blended learning paradigm in multiple campuses. This papers proposes a Cloud-based framework to realize Quality Assurance and Enhancement as a Service (QAEaaS) to facilitate the internal quality reviews by providing efficient data management and effective communication for different stakeholders. Architecture of the proposed framework is described with respective features to cope with the identified quality assurance challenges and issues faced by the Saudi higher education institutes.

Transversal Competencies for Employability in University Graduates: A Systematic Review from the Employers’ Perspective

The aim of this article is to provide a systematic review of the transversal competencies for employability in university graduates from an employer’s perspective, with consideration to the importance of the topic in the cross-national context. The PRISMA statement was used to guide the methodology and the reporting for the systematic review. The data collection produced 52 articles from the Scopus and Web of Science (JCR only) databases in the ten years between 2008 and 2018. The analysis focused on the characteristics of the employers and organizations, the methods and the instruments for evaluating transversal competencies, and the most highly valued competencies, both internationally and by continent. One of the main contributions is the creation of a classification that is made up of 41 transversal competencies that are grouped into five dimensions. The results show that employers attributed more importance to the competencies in the dimensions of Job-related basic (JRB) skills, Socio-relational (SR) skills, and Self-management (SM) skills. We conclude that Higher education institutions need to incorporate “pedagogies for employability”, which will strengthen the link between the academic setting and the socio-occupational reality and will ensure that graduates make a suitable transition to the world of work.

‘Saying yes when you need to and no when you need to’ an interpretative phenomenological analysis on coaches’ well-being

ABSTRACT How coaches both experience and lead their own well-being has an important role to play in coaching; however, coaches’ individual well-being has gained less attention in training, discourse, or research to date. This paper intends to amend this deficit and provides an understanding and conceptual model of the dynamics in a coach’s individual well-being at work. Semi-structured interviews were carried out with 18 coaches and the findings illustrate that Coaches’ well-being is not a static state. There are job demands of coaching that can impact a coach’s well-being and there is a need for coaches to balance their resources with a high level of agility. There are also deeper underlying dynamics to a coach’s well-being that are interrelated with each other; energy currents, self-regulation, and levels of well-being. The way in which coaches optimise their resources and energy and active management of self will help or hinder a coach’s well-being at work, which may be more difficult for novice coaches.

Fat Is All My Fault: Globalized Metathemes of Body Self-blame.

Norms valorizing not-fat bodies appear to have spread around the world, combined with a globalizing belief that thinness is the result of individual management of self and hard work. We examine themes of blame and felt responsibility for weight and "fat" in four distinct geographic and cultural locations: peri-urban Georgia, United States; suburban Osaka, Japan; urban Encarnación, Paraguay; and urban Apia, Samoa. Use of a novel metatheme approach that compares and contrasts these four distinct places characterized by different population-level prevalences of obesity and by specific cultural histories relevant to body norms and ideals provides a flexible toolkit for comparative cross-cultural/multi-sited ethnographic research. We show that self-blame, marked by an articulated sense of individual responsibility for weight and a sense of failing in this responsibility, is present in every field site, but to varying degrees and expressed in different ways. [fat, obesity, metatheme, stigma, self-blame].

Assessing the understandability, actionability, and quality of online resources for the self-management of bipolar disorder.

IntroductionThis study aims to assess the understandability, actionability, and quality of online resources for the self-management (SM) of bipolar spectrum disorders in adults.MethodsAn online search using Google, Bing, and Yahoo! search engines was conducted to identify resources for bipolar disorder. Those that were published in English, discussed at least 1 method directed at improving an SM task, and were within the first 25 nonadvertisement results for each search were included. Resources directed specifically at adolescents were excluded. Understandability and actionability of the online resources were evaluated using the Patient Education Materials Assessment Tool (PEMAT). Quality of the online resources was evaluated using the DISCERN instrument. The number of SM tasks each resource discussed was also evaluated. Overall mean appropriateness was calculated by averaging the percentage scores of understandability, actionability, and quality.ResultsFifty-two resources were included. The mean sample scores were 8.4 (SD, 2.1; range, 2-13; maximum, 15) for understandability, 2.2 (SD, 1.2; range, 0-4; maximum, 5) for actionability, and 46.1 (SD, 8.9; range, 30-57; maximum, 75) for quality. The overall mean appropriateness percentage was 53.5% (SD, 11.7%; range, 18%-77%), with a goal of at least 70%. Included resources addressed a mean of 7.1 tasks (SD, 2.5; range, 1-14; maximum, 20).DiscussionMost online resources for the SM of bipolar disorder scored poorly for understandability and actionability based on PEMAT scores and had low to moderate scores for quality using the DISCERN instrument. Future online resources should be designed with the goal of increasing appropriateness for patients.