Self-management Support For People Research Articles

115 Early identification of functional problems and self-management support for people with thoracic cancers using an Allied Health Professional Screening Tool - An audit report

115 Early identification of functional problems and self-management support for people with thoracic cancers using an Allied Health Professional Screening Tool - An audit report

Application and prospect of artificial intellingence in diabetes care.

Diabetes is one of the fastest-growing non-communicable diseases, becoming an important public health concern worldwide as well as in China. Currently, China has the largest population living with diabetes. Artificial intelligence (AI) is a fast-growing field and its applications to diabetes could enable the delivery of better management services for people with diabetes. This perspective summarized the latest findings of digital technologies and AI use in the following areas of diabetes care, mainly including screening and risk predictions of diabetes and diabetic complications, precise monitoring and intervention combined with new technologies, and mobile health application in self-management support for people with diabetes. Challenges to promote further use of AI in diabetes care included data standardization and integration, performance of AI-based medical devices, motivation of patients, and sensitivity to privacy. In summary, although the AI applications in clinical practice is still at an early stage, we are moving toward a new paradigm for diabetes care with the rapid development and emerging application of AI.

Study protocol for a multicenter randomized controlled trial of personalized exercise therapy and self-management support for people with multimorbidity: The MOBILIZE study.

Despite the great individual and societal burden associated with multimorbidity, little is known about how to effectively manage it. The aim of this multicenter randomized controlled trial (RCT) is to investigate the 12-month effects of a personalized exercise therapy and self-management support program in addition to usual care in people with multimorbidity. This is a protocol for a pragmatic, parallel-group (1:1 ratio), superiority RCT conducted at five intervention sites (two hospitals, a private practice physiotherapy clinic and two municipal rehabilitation centers) in Region Zealand, Denmark. A total of 228 persons with multimorbidity aged 18 years or older, will be randomly allocated to one of two groups. Both groups will receive usual care, defined as routine care for multimorbidity at the discretion of the treating doctor, while the intervention group will also participate in a 12-week exercise therapy and self-management support program tailored to people with multimorbidity at one of the intervention sites. The primary outcome will be the between-group difference in change in EQ-5D-5L from baseline to the follow-up at 12 months. Secondary outcomes include objectively-measured physical function and physical activity, inflammatory markers, disease and treatment burden, anxiety, depression, stress, sleep, pain and other self-reported parameters. In parallel with the RCT, an observational cohort will follow persons aged ≥18 years with multimorbidity not adhering to all eligibility criteria, as well as people fulfilling all eligibility criteria, but unwilling to participate in the RCT. This study was approved by the Regional Committee on Health Research Ethics for Region Zealand (SJ-857) and results will be communicated in scientific papers, at relevant conferences and to a broader audience. Exercise therapy and self-management support is safe and effective in people with single conditions. However, it is still unclear whether this holds true for individuals with multimorbidity. This pragmatic, multicenter RCT will provide high-quality evidence on the benefits and harms of exercise therapy and self-management support and, if the results support it, lead to the development of a plan for implementation in clinical practice.

Personalised exercise therapy and self-management support for people with multimorbidity: feasibility of the MOBILIZE intervention

BackgroundExercise therapy is safe and effective in people with single conditions, but the feasibility in people with two or more conditions is unclear. Therefore, the aim was to evaluate the feasibility of exercise therapy and self-management in people with multimorbidity prior to a randomised, controlled trial (RCT).MethodsThis was a mixed-methods feasibility study performed in two general hospitals and one psychiatric hospital. 20 adult patients (8 females; mean age (SD) 67 (6.9)) with at least two long-term conditions and a score of ≥ 3 on Disease Burden Impact Scale for at least one condition (at least moderate limitations of daily activities) and of ≥ 2 for at least one other condition. Patients with unstable health conditions, at risk of serious adverse events (SAE) or with terminal conditions were excluded. Participants received 12 weeks of exercise (18 60-min group-based and 6 home-based sessions) and self-management support (6 90-min group-based sessions) supervised by physiotherapists. Pre-defined progression to RCT criteria were the primary outcomes and included recruitment rate (acceptable 20 participants in 3 months), retention through follow-up (75% retention), compliance (75% complete > 9 of exercise and > 3 self-management sessions), outcome burden (80% do not find outcomes too burdensome), improvement in quality of life (EQ-5D-5L) and function (6-min walk test; ≥ 50% experience clinically relevant improvements) and intervention-related SAEs (No SAEs). Furthermore, a purposeful sample including eleven participants and two facilitators were interviewed about their experiences of participating/facilitating. Qualitative data was analysed using thematic analysis.ResultsRecruitment rate (20 in 49 days), retention (85%), outcome burden (95%), and SAEs (0 related to intervention) were acceptable, while compliance (70%) and improvements (35% in quality of life, 46% in function) were not (amendment needed before proceeding to RCT). The intervention was found acceptable by both participants and physiotherapists with some barriers among participants relating to managing multiple chronic conditions while caring for others or maintaining a job. Physiotherapists expressed a need for additional training.ConclusionsExercise therapy and self-management are feasible in people with multimorbidity. The subsequent RCT, amending the intervention according to progression criteria and feedback, will determine whether the intervention is superior to usual care alone.Trial registrationClinicalTrials.gov registration: NCT04645732Open Science Framework https://osf.io/qk6yg/

Personalised exercise therapy and self-management support for people with multimorbidity: Development of the MOBILIZE intervention

BackgroundTo our knowledge, there is no intervention which includes personalised exercise therapy and self-management support for people with multimorbidity, although these interventions may be as effective as for people with single chronic conditions. Therefore, we developed a novel intervention, including personalised exercise therapy and self-management support for people with multimorbidity.MethodsWe followed the Medical Research Council framework and conducted one scoping review, five systematic reviews, two registry-based studies, one qualitative interview study and a mixed-methods feasibility study. Following an iterative approach, together with feedback from people with multimorbidity and relevant stakeholders, we developed the MOBILIZE intervention.ResultsThe intervention included 24 (60 minutes) sessions of personalised exercise therapy and 24 (30 minutes) sessions of self-management support twice a week for 12 weeks, delivered in small groups by specifically trained physiotherapists. The intervention targets physiological, psychosocial, behavioural, and contextual factors to improve health-related quality of life and physical function in people living with multimorbidity.ConclusionsWe developed a personalised exercise therapy and self-management support programme for people with multimorbidity. The intervention will be tested for its safety and effectiveness in a randomised controlled trial.

Associations between multiple long-term conditions and mortality in diverse ethnic groups.

BackgroundMultiple conditions are more prevalent in some minoritised ethnic groups and are associated with higher mortality rate but studies examining differential mortality once conditions are established is US-based. Our study tested whether the association between multiple conditions and mortality varies across ethnic groups in England.Methods and findingsA random sample of primary care patients from Clinical Practice Research Datalink (CPRD) was followed from 1st January 2015 until 31st December 2019. Ethnicity, usually self-ascribed, was obtained from primary care records if present or from hospital records. Long-term conditions were counted from a list of 32 that have previously been associated with greater primary care, hospital admissions, or mortality risk. Cox regression models were used to estimate mortality by count of conditions, ethnicity and their interaction, with adjustment for age and sex for 532,059 patients with complete data. During five years of follow-up, 5.9% of patients died. Each additional condition at baseline was associated with increased mortality. The direction of the interaction of number of conditions with ethnicity showed a statistically higher mortality rate associated with long-term conditions in Pakistani, Black African, Black Caribbean and Other Black ethnic groups. In ethnicity-stratified models, the mortality rate per additional condition at age 50 was 1.33 (95% CI 1.31,1.35) for White ethnicity, 1.43 (95% CI 1.26,1.61) for Black Caribbean ethnicity and 1.78 (95% CI 1.41,2.24) for Other Black ethnicity.ConclusionsThe higher mortality rate associated with having multiple conditions is greater in minoritised compared with White ethnic groups. Research is now needed to identify factors that contribute to these inequalities. Within the health care setting, there may be opportunities to target clinical and self-management support for people with multiple conditions from minoritised ethnic groups.

Health care providers\u2019 understanding of self-management support for people with chronic low back pain in Ethiopia: an interpretive description

BackgroundHealthcare providers play a key role in supporting people with chronic low back pain to self-manage their condition. The study aimed at exploring how health care providers understand and conceptualize self-management and how they provide self-management support for people with chronic low back pain in Ethiopia.MethodsHealth care providers who have supported people with low back pain, including medical doctors and physiotherapists, were approached and recruited from three hospitals in Ethiopia. This study employed an interpretive descriptive approach using semi-structured interviews.FindingsTwenty-four participants (7 women; 17 men) with a median age of 28 (range 24 to 42) years and a median of 9.5 years (range 1 to 11 years) of helping people with chronic low back pain were interviewed. Seven major themes related to health care providers’ understanding of self-management support for people with chronic low back pain in Ethiopia emerged. The findings show that self-management was a new concept to many and health care providers’ had a fragmented understanding of self-management. They used or suggested several self-management support strategies to help people with CLBP self-manage their condition without necessarily focusing on enhancing their self-efficacy skills. The participants also discussed several challenges to facilitate self-management support for people with chronic low back pain. Despite the lack of training on the concept, the providers discussed the potential of providing self-management support for people with the condition.ConclusionsSelf-management was a new concept to health care providers. The providers lack the competencies to provide self-management support for people with chronic low back pain. There is a need to enhance the health care providers’ self-management support competencies through training.

Self-management support for people with non-specific low back pain: A qualitative survey among physiotherapists and exercise therapists

BackgroundLow back pain (LBP) is a major problem across the globe and is the leading cause worldwide of years lost to disability. Self-management is considered an important component the treatment of people with non-specific LBP. However, it seems that the self-management support for people with non-specific LBP provided by physiotherapists can be improved. Moreover, the way exercise therapists (ET) address self-management in practice is unknown. The aim of this study was to investigate the ideas, opinions and methods used by physiotherapists and ET with regard to self-management and providing self-management support to patients with non-specific LBP. MethodsThis study was a qualitative survey. An online questionnaire with open-ended questions was developed. The survey was conducted among physiotherapists and ET working in the Netherlands. Data was analysed using thematic analysis. ResultsRespondents considered self-management support an important topic in physiotherapy and exercise therapy for people with non-specific LBP. In the self-management support provided by the respondents, providing information and advice were frequently mentioned. The topics included in the support given by the respondents covered a broad range of important factors. The topics frequently focused on biomechanical factors. The majority of respondents had a need with regard to self-management or providing self-management support. These needs include having more knowledge, skills and tools aimed at facilitating self-management. ConclusionThe way physiotherapists and ET address self-management in people with non-specific LBP is not optimal and should be improved.

Psychological and self-management support for people with vasculitis or connective tissue diseases: UK health professionals’ perspectives

ObjectivesCTD and systemic vasculitis impact on health-related quality of life. Treatment can be complex, involving multiple medical specialities. The aim of this study was to investigate psychological and self-management support for patients in secondary care.MethodsAn online survey of health professionals in the UK, including 45 multiple-choice and free-text questions, was analysed descriptively. Free-text survey responses were analysed thematically to identify health professionals’ perceptions of best practice and unmet needs.ResultsThe online survey included 120 health professionals (34% specialist nurses, 51% doctors and 12% allied health professionals), predominantly working in rheumatology (52.9%) and nephrology (21.5%) departments. Access to self-management programmes or clinics for people with CTD or vasculitis was available in 23% of rheumatology and 8% of nephrology departments. In response to ‘How well is your team providing self-management support to people with CTD or vasculitis?’, 38% of respondents reported ‘not very well’ or ‘not well at all’. Direct access to psychological support was available in 76.9% of nephrology and 32.8% of rheumatology departments. More than 80% of respondents would like additional training. Key themes from the qualitative data (free-text survey responses) included the importance of: dedicated psychological support and self-management programmes for people with CTD and vasculitis, a whole-team approach (specialist teams empowering people to manage their own care), staff training (e.g. brief psychological interventions) and signposting to resources, including patient charities.ConclusionPeople with CTD and vasculitis have complex needs, and improvements in self-management and psychological support are required in UK rheumatology and nephrology departments.

P106 Psychological and self-management support for people with systemic vasculitis or CTDs: a mixed methods study of health professionals’ perception of provision in Rheumatology and Nephrology departments in the UK

Abstract Background People with a connective tissue disease (CTD) or systemic vasculititis have diseases which can be life and organ threatening, require complicated medication regimens and impact on all aspects of health-related quality of life. People are routinely managed across multiple medical specialities and have to navigate their way through complex health care systems. The aim of this study was to investigate current psychological and self-management support available for people with CTDs and vasculitis in rheumatology and nephrology departments in the UK. Methods An online survey of health professionals in rheumatology and nephrology departments was conducted with follow-up interviews. The survey comprised 45 multiple-choice and free-text questions. Quantitative material was analysed descriptively. Follow-up interviews were recorded, transcribed and analysed thematically, together with free-text survey responses, to identify health professionals’ perceptions on unmet needs and key improvements required. Results The online survey included 120 health professional respondents (34 % specialist nurses, 51% doctors and 12 % allied health professionals and pharmacists). Respondents worked primarily in rheumatology (52.9%) and nephrology (21.5%). Access to self-management programmes or clinics for people with CTD and vasculitis was available in 23% of rheumatology and 8% of nephrology departments. In response to the question “How well is your team providing self-management support to people with CTD and vasculitis?”, 38% of respondents reported not very well, or not well at all. Direct access to psychological support (either within their department or within the hospital) was available for patients in 76.9% of nephrology and 32.8% of rheumatology departments. Where psychological referrals were direct, the assessment of the quality of the service by health professionals was higher than when the referrals were indirect (i.e when patients were either referred to primary care or asked to self-refer) (X2=13.83, p < 0.001). Over 80% of health-professional respondents reported they would like additional training in providing self-management support. Key themes from the qualitative data included the need for dedicated psychological support within departments, self-management programmes (specifically for people with CTD and vasculitis or opening up established programmes for people with other conditions), the benefits of a whole team approach (specialist teams not individual clinicians working to empower patients to take a lead in managing their own care), individual staff training needs ( training in brief psychological interventions and support for health professionals to set up self-management programmes) and signposting to additional resources for patients and their families ( disease-specific written and online information and support from patient charities). Conclusion People with CTD and vasculitis have complex needs and systemic improvements in support are required. Patients in nephrology departments are more likely to have access to psychological support than those in rheumatology. There is inadequate access to structured self-management programmes in both nephrology and rheumatology. Disclosures J.C. Robson None. M. Shepherd None. M. Ndosi None. L. Harper None. C. Flurey None. S. Logan None. K. Austin None. E. Dures None.

Using linked data to evaluate enhanced primary care policies for chronic diseases using stroke as a case study

IntroductionThe global burden of chronic diseases is large and increasing. In response, governments are investing substantial funds in innovative models of primary care, characterised by multidisciplinary care and self-management support for people with chronic conditions. Currently, large scale population-based evaluations of the effectiveness of these policies are lacking.
 Objectives and ApproachWe aim to evaluate the effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of enhanced primary care policies for chronic diseases funded through Medicare Australia using stroke as a case study. Person-level linkages from the following will be used: Australian Stroke Clinical Registry (AuSCR) to define the cohort; Australian government-held Medicare claims data to identify receipt or not of enhanced primary care items; state government-held hospital data to define outcomes; and Australian government-held pharmaceutical and aged care claims data to define covariates. In Australia, unique identifiers are not used therefore, personal-identifiers will be submitted to data linkage units and content records merged using a Project-ID.
 ResultsIdentifiers from ~25,000 AuSCR registrants (2012-2016), from Victoria and Queensland will be submitted for linkage. The index event is the first event recorded in the AuSCR. Data applications to state health departments and the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare have commenced. To obtain detailed information on patient’s primary care experience 1,500 randomly selected AuSCR registrants are being sent surveys. Multivariable analyses using a competing risks Poisson regression model for multiple events and adjusted by a propensity score, will be used to test for differences in the rates of hospital presentations. We have power (a >0.05) to detect a ≥6% difference in the number of hospital contacts between those who did and did not receive enhanced primary care. An economic evaluation will also be undertaken.
 Conclusion/ImplicationsThis is the largest stroke data linkage study in Australia. The breadth of data will provide a comprehensive evaluation of the effectiveness of enhanced primary care policies within “real world” healthcare provision. Methods will advance the use of population data linkage in healthcare evaluation where unique identifiers are unavailable.

Self-management support and eHealth for patients and informal caregivers confronted with advanced cancer: an online focus group study among nurses

BackgroundSelf-management by patients and informal caregivers confronted with advanced cancer is not self-evident. Therefore they might need self-management support from nurses. This article reports on nurses’ perspectives on self-management support for people confronted with advanced cancer, and nurses’ experiences with eHealth in this context.MethodsSix online focus groups were organized, with a total of 45 Dutch nurses with different educational levels and working in different care settings. Nurses were asked how they support patients and informal caregivers facing advanced cancer in managing physical and psychosocial problems in their daily life. Questions were also asked regarding the nurses’ experiences with eHealth. Transcripts of the online focus group discussions were analyzed qualitatively following the principles of thematic analysis. The main themes derived from the analyses were ordered according to the elements in the 5 A’s Behavior Change Model.ResultsWithin the scope of self-management support, nurses reported that they discuss the background, personal situation, wishes, and needs of advanced cancer patients (‘Assess’ in the 5 A’s model), and they provide information about cancer and specifically the advanced type (‘Advise’). However, nurses hardly give any advice on how patients can manage physical and psychological problems themselves and/or pay any attention to collaborative goal-setting (‘Agree’). Neither do they explain how follow-up can be arranged (‘Arrange’). In addition, they do not appear to pay much attention to self-management support for informal caregivers.Nurses’ attitudes towards eHealth within the scope of self-management support are positive. They see many advantages, such as allowing advanced cancer patients to stay in charge of their own care and lives. However, nurses also explicitly stressed that eHealth can never be a substitute for personal contact between nurses and patients.ConclusionsNurses value self-management support and eHealth for advanced cancer patients and their informal caregivers. However, they seem to disregard important elements in the support of self-management, such as providing practical advice, collaborative goal-setting, and arrangement of follow-up. We recommend further promoting and clarifying the essence and importance of self-management support, including self-management support for informal caregivers.

Self-management support for people with chronic kidney disease: Patient perspectives.

Self-management of chronic kidney disease (CKD) is crucial for health outcomes and people need to be effectively supported by healthcare professionals (HCPs). Some programmes designed to improve self-management have been implemented, but people with the disease are rarely consulted regarding what they desire from these programmes. To provide a synthesis of the literature on preferences for self-management support of people with CKD. An integrative review. Four databases (MedLine, CINAHL, PsycARTICLES and PsycINFO) were searched using relevant search terms. The search strategy identified 1,913 records, of which 12 studies met inclusion criteria. Ten themes were identified as important areas to be addressed by self-management interventions. In addition, patient suggestions for implementation of such interventions are discussed. The principles of a person-centred approach ought to frame the support provided by HCPs when supporting those with CKD to better self-manage.

The eHealth Enhanced Chronic Care Model: a theory derivation approach.

BackgroundChronic illnesses are significant to individuals and costly to society. When systematically implemented, the well-established and tested Chronic Care Model (CCM) is shown to improve health outcomes for people with chronic conditions. Since the development of the original CCM, tremendous information management, communication, and technology advancements have been established. An opportunity exists to improve the time-honored CCM with clinically efficacious eHealth tools.ObjectiveThe first goal of this paper was to review research on eHealth tools that support self-management of chronic disease using the CCM. The second goal was to present a revised model, the eHealth Enhanced Chronic Care Model (eCCM), to show how eHealth tools can be used to increase efficiency of how patients manage their own chronic illnesses.MethodsUsing Theory Derivation processes, we identified a “parent theory”, the Chronic Care Model, and conducted a thorough review of the literature using CINAHL, Medline, OVID, EMBASE PsychINFO, Science Direct, as well as government reports, industry reports, legislation using search terms “CCM or Chronic Care Model” AND “eHealth” or the specific identified components of eHealth. Additionally, “Chronic Illness Self-management support” AND “Technology” AND several identified eHealth tools were also used as search terms. We then used a review of the literature and specific components of the CCM to create the eCCM.ResultsWe identified 260 papers at the intersection of technology, chronic disease self-management support, the CCM, and eHealth and organized a high-quality subset (n=95) using the components of CCM, self-management support, delivery system design, clinical decision support, and clinical information systems. In general, results showed that eHealth tools make important contributions to chronic care and the CCM but that the model requires modification in several key areas. Specifically, (1) eHealth education is critical for self-care, (2) eHealth support needs to be placed within the context of community and enhanced with the benefits of the eCommunity or virtual communities, and (3) a complete feedback loop is needed to assure productive technology-based interactions between the patient and provider.ConclusionsThe revised model, eCCM, offers insight into the role of eHealth tools in self-management support for people with chronic conditions. Additional research and testing of the eCCM are the logical next steps.

A Low-Intensity Mobile Health Intervention With and Without Health Counseling for Persons With Type 2 Diabetes, Part 1: Baseline and Short-Term Results From a Randomized Controlled Trial in the Norwegian Part of RENEWING HEALTH.

BackgroundSelf-management support for people with type 2 diabetes is essential in diabetes care. Thus, mobile health technology with or without low-intensity theory-based health counseling could become an important tool for promoting self-management.ObjectivesThe aim was to evaluate whether the introduction of technology-supported self-management using the Few Touch Application (FTA) diabetes diary with or without health counseling improved glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) levels, self-management, behavioral change, and health-related quality of life, and to describe the sociodemographic, clinical, and lifestyle characteristics of the participants after 4 months.MethodsA 3-armed randomized controlled trial was conducted in Norway during 2011-2013. In the 2 intervention groups, participants were given a mobile phone for 1 year, which provided access to the FTA diary, a self-help tool that recorded 5 elements: blood glucose, food habits, physical activity, personal goal setting, and a look-up system for diabetes information. One of the intervention groups was also offered theory-based health counseling with a specialist diabetes nurse by telephone for 4 months from baseline. Both intervention groups and the control group were provided usual care according to the national guidelines. Adults with type 2 diabetes and HbA1c ≥7.1% were included (N=151). There were 3 assessment points: baseline, 4 months, and 1 year. We report the short-term findings after 4 months. HbA1c was the primary outcome and the secondary outcomes were self-management (Health Education Impact Questionnaire, heiQ), behavioral change (diet and physical activity), and health-related quality of life (SF-36 questionnaire). The data were analyzed using univariate methods (ANOVA), multivariate linear, and logistic regression.ResultsData were analyzed from 124 individuals (attrition rate was 18%). The groups were well balanced at baseline. There were no differences in HbA1c between groups after 4 months, but there was a decline in all groups. There were changes in self-management measured using the health service navigation item in the heiQ, with improvements in the FTA group compared to the control group (P=.01) and in the FTA with health counseling group compared with both other groups (P=.04). This may indicate an improvement in the ability of patients to communicate health needs to their health care providers. Furthermore, the FTA group reported higher scores for skill and technique acquisition at relieving symptoms compared to the control group (P=.02). There were no significant changes in any of the domains of the SF-36.ConclusionsThe primary outcome, HbA1c, did not differ between groups after 4 months. Both of the intervention groups had significantly better scores than the control group for health service navigation and the FTA group also exhibited improved skill and technique acquisition.

The delivery of a telephone coaching programme to people with type 2 diabetes by practice nurses in Victoria, Australia: a qualitative evaluation

Journal of Nursing and Healthcare of Chronic Illness 3, 419–426The delivery of a telephone coaching programme to people with type 2 diabetes bypractice nurses in Victoria, Australia: a qualitative evaluationAim. To evaluate telephone coaching undertaken by practice nurses in a randomisedcontrolled trial of self-management support for people with type 2 diabetes.Background. Qualitative evaluation of the processes that take place in randomisedcontrolled trials has the advantage of providing information on those variables thatcontribute to the success or failure of the randomised controlled trial. This addi-tional information can be used to improve or modify chronic disease managementprogramme designs.Methods. Grounded theory was used to analyse transcriptions of telephonecoaching sessions between practice nurses and patient participants in the rando-mised controlled trial.Findings. Analysis of transcriptions found that patient participants had complexmultiple medical conditions to manage, as well as maintaining their daily lives. Twoapproaches to working with this complexity by practice nurses emerged. We

2006 Annual Meeting Supplement

A number of computerized automated programs for preventing and managing chronic diseases are now available. Some have even been transferred from their country of origin to other countries. In 2004, we performed a usability assessment of a Telephone Linked Care (TLC) system designed by Boston University Medical Center to promote physical activity which was transferred to Australia. The results highlighted the need to consider language, health system and other socio-environmental factors when “translating” such programs. In 2005, we adapted a more complex TLC program (TLC-Diabetes) aimed at providing self-management support for people with Type 2 diabetes in Australia. In doing so, we considered how the program might impact patients’ self-care skills and behaviors. TLC-Diabetes targets key diabetes self-care behaviors. Self-management is enhanced by emphasizing the central role of the patients in their care and by ensuring the system supports informed personal decision-making. Goals are set collaboratively between physicians and patients at the outset. Patients are encouraged to prioritize the sequencing of behaviors targeted in the weekly conversations with the system over 6 months. These conversations include monitoring and feedback against goals, and strategies for overcoming barriers to behaviors. TLC-Diabetes is currently being studied to assess its usability with a small group of individuals with Type 2 diabetes. The findings from this study will be used in a controlled evaluation comparing the Australian version of TLC-Diabetes against usual care.